Monrovia – For many years, girls throughout Liberia’s coastal communities have been the unseen spine of the fisheries sector. From the morning till late night, they smoke, dry, and promote fish to maintain their households, usually with out entry to the monetary instruments or capital wanted to develop their commerce.
By: Jerry Gaye | October 8, 2025
Immediately, that actuality is starting to vary. By means of a $2 million World Financial institution–funded initiative, a whole bunch of ladies fishmongers are receiving the coaching, sources, and confidence wanted to show years of financial battle into sustainable livelihoods.
A Lifeline for Ladies within the Fisheries Sector
In June 2023, the Authorities of Liberia, by means of the Nationwide Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and Conservation Worldwide (CI), signed a $2 million grant administration settlement underneath the Liberia Sustainable Administration of Fisheries Undertaking (LSMFP). Formally launched in March 2025, the undertaking focuses on empowering girls within the fisheries worth chain throughout 4 coastal counties: Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa, and Grand Cape Mount.
This system’s objective is straightforward however highly effective: enhance girls’s monetary literacy, broaden their entry to capital, and strengthen their participation within the fishing economic system.
From Survival to Sustainability
One of many beneficiaries, Madam Giftee Nakwa, a 68-year-old widow and veteran fishmonger from Marshall, Margibi County, recollects how the undertaking modified her enterprise outlook.
For greater than 30 years, fish buying and selling has been her solely supply of earnings. However with little monetary coaching and excessive rates of interest on loans, progress was laborious to return by.
That started to shift when she acquired two grant disbursements of US$400 every and took part in monetary administration coaching.
“When fish not dying, I do my petty enterprise — I bake bread and promote it with different small items,” she stated with a smile.
By diversifying her earnings, Madam Nakwa now earns a gentle revenue, accumulating greater than L$270,000 (about US$1,350) on this yr alone. Her newfound stability permits her to pay college charges, help her kids, and reinvest in her commerce.
Dreaming Past Day by day Survival
In Buchanan Metropolis, Grand Bassa County, one other inspiring story comes from 46-year-old Felecia Carr, a mom of 5 who left college in 2006 as a result of monetary hardship.
Earlier than becoming a member of the undertaking, she struggled to maintain her enterprise alive, usually counting on high-interest loans from native banks. Now, with the grant’s help, she’s gained the data and self-discipline to handle her funds and reinvest correctly.
“In 5 years, I need to be sending fish exterior Liberia on the market,” she stated confidently. “I thank the World Financial institution for serving to us.”
Collective Power: The “Fish for Dwelling” Initiative
In Buchanan, greater than 500 girls fishmongers are actually united underneath a bunch known as “Fish for Dwelling”, one of many many associations benefiting from the grant.
In line with the group’s secretary, Barbror Barso, they acquired US$2,000 in preliminary funding and predict an extra US$3,000. The ladies have adopted a mortgage system, lending small quantities to members at a 2% rate of interest over three months, making certain that everybody within the group advantages over time.
“After each three months, we accumulate the cash and redistribute it to others,” Barso defined. “That manner, all our members can develop their small companies.”
A Brighter Future for Liberia’s Coastal Ladies
For years, girls fishmongers have labored behind the scenes, fueling native economies with out a lot recognition or help. By means of this undertaking, they’re gaining extra than simply monetary support; they’re reclaiming their dignity and confidence as enterprise leaders.
The beneficiaries have expressed deep appreciation to NaFAA, Conservation Worldwide, and the World Financial institution for this life-changing intervention. With new abilities and entry to capital, they now see a clearer path ahead, one which leads not simply to survival however to stability and prosperity.
