The Liberian Women’s Sustainable Fisheries and Livelihoods Incubator (LWSFILI) officially launched its call for applications on Wednesday, November 11, during a press conference at NaFAA’s headquarters in Monrovia.
The programme targets women-owned fisheries enterprises, fish processors, women entrepreneurs, youth-led startups, Collaborative Management Associations and cooperatives operating across Liberia’s nine coastal counties.
These counties include Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Kru, Sinoe, River Cess and Maryland.
Under the initiative, eligible participants are expected to receive business coaching, mentorship, technical assistance and opportunities to access grant funding to establish, strengthen or expand fisheries-related enterprises.
NaFAA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. said the programme represents an effort to create greater economic opportunities for women, improve livelihoods and support the sustainable development of Liberia’s fisheries sector.
The initiative is being implemented with support from the Liberia Integrated Fisheries Sector Strengthening Project (LIFSSP), alongside the Business Start-Up Center Monrovia, AgroTech Liberia and the Liberia Research and Development Network.
NaFAA’s project documentation has identified grant support of up to US$20,000 per enterprise as part of the incubator programme. Women involved in the fisheries sector welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the institutions and partners supporting its implementation.
Women play a significant role in Liberia’s fisheries value chain, particularly in fish processing, preservation and marketing. However, many small-scale operators face challenges accessing finance, business-development services, improved processing facilities and reliable markets.
The new incubator programme is intended to address some of these barriers by combining financial support with business training and mentorship.
