By: Saidu Jalloh
In a major stride toward revitalizing Sierra Leone’s Blue Economy, the long-anticipated construction of the Black Johnson Fish Harbour is officially scheduled to begin in September 2025. The announcement was made by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing at the Mattia Conference Hall in Freetown.
This $55 million flagship project, fully funded by the Chinese Government, had faced years of uncertainty despite Parliamentary approval as far back as July 2021. Concerns had grown that the funding might be lost due to prolonged delays in implementation.
However, through renewed diplomatic engagement between President Julius Maada Bio and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the project has been revived. Minister Dugba confirmed that the original funding and full project scope remain intact.
“This is a direct outcome of President Bio’s strategic leadership and commitment to national development,” she stated.
Once completed, the Black Johnson Fish Harbour will be Sierra Leone’s first modern industrial fish harbour. It will serve both domestic and international fishing operations, improve fish quality standards, and create thousands of jobs along the coastline.
The harbour is expected to be a cornerstone of the government’s Blue Economy strategy, aimed at diversifying the economy and sustainably leveraging the country’s vast marine resources.
In a related development, Minister Dugba announced the launch of a new Export Certification Portal on Friday, July 11, 2025, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy. The online platform will enable Sierra Leonean fish exporters to access the Chinese market tariff-free.
Describing the portal as a “game-changer,” the Minister highlighted its potential to boost trade and improve livelihoods in coastal communities.
Providing technical insights, Acting Director of Fisheries, Sheku Sei, outlined key features of the harbour. These include a breakwater system, slipways, cold storage, a synchro lift, and fish processing factories all designed to enhance Sierra Leone’s ability to process, store, and export high-quality fish products.
According to Mr. Sei, the harbour’s completion could raise annual fisheries revenue from $10 million to an estimated $59 million, positioning it as a regional hub for fisheries and marine services.
“It’s not just about revenue growth,” he said. “It’s about building a sustainable and structured fishing industry.”
The Black Johnson Fish Harbour represents one of the largest infrastructure investments in Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector to date. With construction set to begin in just a few months, the project is widely viewed as a pivotal step in the government’s agenda to diversify the economy and unlock the country’s maritime potential.