Sierra Leone's Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dougba, and Deputy Minister of Defence, Rtd. Col. Brima Muana Massaquoi, convened with Major General Waleed Hussin Abo Elmagd, the General Manager of Egypt's National Service Project Organization (NSPO) on March 21st, 2024, to explore the development of an integrated fish city within Sierra Leone. This collaborative endeavor aims to include the establishment of a fish meal factory, facilities for fish oil extraction, and associated services.

The proposed agreement signifies a strategic move to enhance Sierra Leone's fish production capacity, aligning with the country's "Feed Salone" program. As a public-private partnership initiative, it will involve contributions from both the governments of Sierra Leone and Egypt, along with the participation of Sierra Leone's private sector.

During the discussions, Sierra Leone's Deputy Defence Minister commended Egypt's regional engagement, particularly its role in addressing the crisis in the Gaza Strip. Emphasizing the mutual benefits of the partnership, he highlighted the potential for increased trade and developmental opportunities for both nations.

Bassem Mohamed, the Managing Director of Sierra Fishing Company, expressed gratitude for NSPO's support in bolstering Sierra Leone's fishing industry. He affirmed his company's dedication to collaborating with the government in achieving shared objectives.

Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Egypt, His Excellency Sadiq Silla, underscored the embassy's facilitative role in fostering cooperation between the two countries. He expressed confidence in the success of this collaborative venture.

The imminent sealing of the agreement between relevant ministries and private sector entities from both Sierra Leone and Egypt heralds a promising step towards realizing the shared vision of establishing an integrated fish city, poised to contribute significantly to Sierra Leone's economic development and food security initiatives.