By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, has confirmed that construction of the long-awaited Black Johnson Fish Harbour Project will commence in September 2025. The announcement was made during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference held at the Mattia Conference Hall in Freetown.
Minister Dugba attributed the project’s revival to President Julius Maada Bio’s diplomatic engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping, securing a $55 million grant from the Chinese Government. The grant was initially approved by the Sierra Leone Parliament in July 2021. However, delays in implementation and fears that the funding might be halved raised concerns about the future of the project.
“Thanks to proactive engagement with the Chinese Embassy, we have preserved the original scope and funding of the Black Johnson Fish Harbour Project,” Minister Dugba stated. “This is a direct outcome of President Bio’s strategic leadership and commitment to national development.”
The project, which is considered a flagship initiative for Sierra Leone’s Blue Economy strategy, is expected to transform the fisheries sector by establishing the country’s first modern industrial fish harbour. Once completed, the facility will support both local and international fishing operations, improve fish handling and export standards, and create employment opportunities across coastal communities.
In a significant complementary development, Minister Dugba also revealed that on Friday, July 11, 2025, the Ministry, in partnership with the Chinese Embassy, will launch an Export Certification Portal. The portal is designed to allow Sierra Leonean fishermen and women to export fish products to China tariff-free.
“This is a game-changer,” Minister Dugba said. “It will not only open direct access to the Chinese market but also increase export revenue and support the livelihoods of our fishing communities.”
Speaking at the same event, Acting Director of Fisheries, Sheku Sei, provided technical insights into the harbour’s design and potential economic impact. He said the facility will feature a modern seafront complete with a breakwater system to protect vessels, a slipway for loading and unloading activities, a synchro lift for vessel maintenance, cold storage units, and fish processing factories.
According to Mr. Sei, these features are expected to drastically enhance Sierra Leone’s capacity to process and export fish products. He projected that annual revenue from the fisheries sector could rise from the current $10 million to as much as $59 million once the harbour becomes operational.
“The infrastructure will serve as a regional hub for fisheries and marine services,” Mr. Sei added. “It’s not just about increasing revenue; it’s about creating a sustainable, structured, and modern fishing industry.”
The Black Johnson Fish Harbour Project is one of the largest infrastructure investments in Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector and is seen as a cornerstone of the government’s ambition to diversify the economy.
As the countdown to construction begins, officials and stakeholders are optimistic that the harbour will usher in a new era for Sierra Leone’s maritime economy.
