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By LAEJN Editorial Team
In a landmark move aimed at revitalizing Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture industry, U.S. based MK Industries, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has formally expressed its interest in partnering with the Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), to establish the country’s first large-scale fish processing and fish meal factory in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
According to the Acting Director General of NaFAA, Cyrus Saygbe, the announcement was made during a high-level meeting held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the company’s facility in Atlanta. The meeting brought together the leadership of NaFAA and MK Industries CEO, Mr. Ali Katoot, who reaffirmed his company’s commitment to collaborating with the Government to bring this transformative project to fruition.
The NaFAA boss further disclosed that the proposed project, backed by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), is set to break ground in 2026 and marks a significant step toward industrializing Liberia’s fisheries sector.
Director General Saygbe said under the terms of the partnership, the Government of Liberia will lead the construction of the fish processing facility in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, while MK Industries will lease, equip, and operationalize the plant upon completion. The facility will serve as a central hub, integrating artisanal fishing communities from all nine of Liberia’s coastal counties into a robust, value-driven national supply chain.
He indicated that beyond fisheries, the initiative includes collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture to scale up domestic production of soybeans and maize, key inputs in the production of fish feed. This cross-sectoral approach is expected to stimulate rural agricultural economies while ensuring sustainability in fish feed sourcing.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. By creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the fisheries and agriculture sectors, the project is expected to significantly reduce unemployment, particularly in coastal and rural communities. At the same time, it will strengthen national food security by decreasing reliance on imported fish and increasing domestic production.
The establishment of value-added processing will not only enhance the livelihoods of artisanal fishers but also open new market opportunities, positioning Liberia as a competitive player in the regional fish export industry.
This partnership signifies a paradigm shift in Liberia’s approach to natural resource management. The focus on processing and local feed production reflects a commitment to value addition, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. By involving artisanal fishers and local farmers, the project aligns with national goals of poverty reduction and rural empowerment.
Moreover, the location of the factory in Buchanan, a key port city, offers strategic logistical advantages for both domestic distribution and international exports.
As Liberia seeks to diversify its economy beyond traditional extractive industries, the MK Industries partnership offers a blueprint for inclusive, sustainable industrial development. The fish processing and fish meal factory is not only an investment in infrastructure but a vote of confidence in Liberia’s economic potential, signaling brighter prospects for coastal communities and the nation as a whole.
