Egypt, Liberia Ink Aquaculture Cooperation Agreement

Egypt and Liberia have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at fostering collaboration in the field of aquaculture development, as announced by officials. The agreement, which was formalized on Monday by the Egyptian Lake Protection and Fish Resources Development Authority (LPRDA) and Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NFAA), seeks to enhance sustainable development and economic integration within the fisheries sector.

This partnership is part of a larger initiative by Egypt to strengthen its ties with African countries. Egyptian political leaders have been actively advocating for cooperation across the continent, addressing various challenges such as peace and security, counter-terrorism, conflict resolution, and the economic repercussions of global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, alongside issues related to climate change and food security. This effort aligns with the support for Agenda 2063, the African Union’s strategic development framework.

The MOU between LPRDA and NFAA emphasizes several critical areas of focus. These include enhancing governance within the aquaculture sector, combating illegal fishing activities, promoting aquaculture development, sharing knowledge and expertise, bolstering scientific research, and facilitating trade between Egypt and Liberia.

Hussein Farahat, the executive director of the LPRDA, expressed his enthusiasm for the agreement.

 He underscored the significance of the fisheries sector for Egypt’s food security and sustainable development objectives, highlighting the country’s extensive experience in lake and fisheries management. 

He conveyed appreciation for the visit of the Liberian delegation and reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to advancing African cooperation in the fisheries domain through initiatives that promote sustainable development.

Moreover, Farahat emphasized Egypt’s strengths in fishing and aquaculture, given its strategic position along the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and reiterated Egypt’s commitment to offering technical and logistical assistance to African nations in fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing through training and consultations focused on sustainable resource management.

In turn, Emma Catherine Metieh, the Director General of the NFAA, underscored Liberia's dedication to fostering investment in aquaculture by establishing a conducive environment and offering incentives to potential investors.