LocationsThe Ministry of Planning and Economic Development launches Blue Economy Strategic Framework and National Action Plan
November 5, 2024
A group photo of digantaries at the launch of the policies.
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED) in Sierra Leone has launched its Blue Economy Strategic Framework and National Action Plan, a milestone that reflects a transformative vision for sustainable economic growth through the responsible use of oceanic and freshwater resources. Supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and several other agencies , the framework is designed to harness Sierra Leone’s rich natural resources, creating opportunities for jobs, biodiversity preservation, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management.
In a speech at the launch, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Ballay, emphasized the plan’s critical role in diversifying Sierra Leone’s economy and its alignment with national and international goals, including the African Blue Economy Strategy, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AU Agenda 2063, and Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for 2024-2030. She explained that the development of the plan began in 2022 and is essential to achieving the “Big Five” government initiatives by ensuring that natural resources are managed to benefit future generations.
Kenyeh Ballay, Minister of Planning and Economic Dev elopment launching the policies
Minister Ballay acknowledged the challenges Sierra Leone faces in managing climate change impacts and limitations in other sectors, which prompted MOPED to partner with UNDP, form technical committees, and create the Blue Economy document. The plan, she noted, will focus on six thematic areas: food security, marine transport improvement, coastal environmental protection, marine security enhancement, good governance support, and advancements in science and research.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, praised the Blue Economy Strategic Framework, highlighting its potential to boost job creation, enhance food production, and improve coastal infrastructure. She also underscored a significant opportunity for economic growth through seafood exports, estimating that fish and shrimp exports, supported by Iceland, could generate around $700 million annually. Minister Dugba explained that outdated fishing practices had previously hindered economic growth in coastal communities, but that recent partnerships with countries like China will introduce sustainable fishing methods that add value to Sierra Leone’s marine resources.
Princess Dugba, Fisheries and Marine Resources
UNDP’s Team Leader for the Sustainable Growth Cluster, Tanzila Watta Sankoh commended the collaborative effort behind the Blue Economy plan, describing it as a vision that will help build an inclusive economy where resources are responsibly managed. She highlighted the potential of the plan to foster resilience against economic vulnerabilities and reduce dependency on limited traditional sectors by diversifying economic opportunities. Madam Sankoh further stressed that the framework supports food security, economic growth, and climate resilience, crucial in a country where the population’s needs are rapidly growing.
Tanzila Watta Sankoh, Team Leader for UNDP'S Sustainable Growth Cluster
The plan’s emphasis on sustainable resource use aligns with UN SDGs 13 and 14, which focus on ecosystem conservation and sustainable management of marine resources. She noted the importance of raising awareness to drive behavioral changes that promote collective responsibility in ocean conservation. She encouraged private-sector engagement in exploring sustainable business opportunities in marine tourism, renewable energy, and fisheries. “Strong partnerships and collective action are essential to the success of the Blue Economy,” she stated, reiterating UNDP’s commitment to supporting the initiative's implementation.
Representatives from both state and non-state institutions expressed their support for the Blue Economy framework, highlighting the shared commitment to ensure its successful implementation. They affirmed that the new framework offers a vital pathway for securing Sierra Leone’s marine resources for future generations, contributing to long-term economic stability and environmental sustainability.
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