This is Africa

Nairobi: The aquaculture industry in Africa is on the verge of transformative growth with the launch of the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), a strategic initiative aimed at providing a unified framework for sustainable development. Stakeholders from various African nations, as well as representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), expressed optimism about the sector becoming a key player in enhancing food security and alleviating poverty.

The 2nd General Assembly Congress held in Naivasha, Kenya, facilitated discussions on the significant role aquaculture can play in the continent’s development. Africa’s abundant water resources, including lakes, rivers, and coastal areas, create an ideal environment for the expansion of aquaculture. With diverse ecosystems and a favorable climate, Africa holds the potential to emerge as a major contributor to global aquaculture production.

The FAO reported that Africa’s combined fisheries and aquaculture production currently stands at 6 million metric tonnes. Dismas Mbabazi, Fishery and Aquaculture Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Africa, emphasized the need for governments to collaborate with the private sector to promote aquaculture as a business, fostering sustainable growth.

The AU-IBAR’s ANAF initiative is designed to harmonize policies and strategies for aquaculture development across African states. The program aims to facilitate information and technology sharing among member states, recognizing the transboundary nature of aquatic ecosystems where fish are farmed and produced. By fostering collaboration, ANAF seeks to enhance the sustainability, commercialization, and poverty eradication potential of the aquaculture sector.

Nelly Isyagi, the Fisheries and Aquaculture, Trade and Investment Officer at AU-IBAR, highlighted ANAF’s role in streamlining policies and strategies across the continent. The initiative received official endorsement from African ministers during a recent meeting in Addis Ababa. ANAF’s establishment positions it as an essential continental institution providing technical support and facilitation for Africa’s aquaculture subsector, contributing to the overall development of the continent’s fisheries and aquaculture industry.

Naivasha, Kenya: The African continent’s vast water resources present a promising solution to address food security and poverty eradication through the development of aquaculture. Dr. Huyam Salim, Director of the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), highlighted the potential of aquaculture in providing a sustainable means of producing fish, shrimp, and other aquatic species.

Speaking at the 2nd General Assembly Congress of Aquaculture for Africa (ANAF), Dr. Salim emphasized the significance of aquaculture in meeting the growing demand for food, citing its controlled environment that allows for year-round production and reduces the impact of seasonal variations on food availability.

However, she identified financial capital and collaboration among stakeholders as significant challenges hindering the sector’s growth. ANAF, endorsed by African Ministers as an African Union-recognized network, aims to enhance aquaculture production and address existing gaps.

Dr. Salim urged the private sector to collaborate with governments to foster sector development. To support small-scale aquaculture farmers, governments should facilitate information sharing and the creation of cooperatives to access financing from financial institutions.

Stakeholders, including representatives from the Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Kenyan government, emphasized the potential of small-scale fish farming to empower local communities by creating employment opportunities and generating income. Despite its potential, aquaculture in Africa faces challenges such as limited access to finance and technology, infrastructure deficiencies, and post-harvest losses.

Ndiaga Gueye, Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Africa, highlighted ANAF’s objectives, which align with FAO’s mission to achieve more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, nutrition, environment, and life.

Stakeholders emphasized that investments in technology, infrastructure, education, sustainable practices, and effective governance are crucial to unlocking the full potential of aquaculture in Africa, fostering economic development, and improving the livelihoods of millions on the continent. Despite Africa having over a billion people, only 600,000 are directly employed in the aquaculture sector, contributing a meagre 6 percent to global fish production.

The Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) has achieved a significant breakthrough by developing a genetically improved Nile tilapia strain through a targeted breeding program. This newly introduced breed boasts faster growth rates, higher body weight, and enhanced resilience to diseases and certain impacts of climate change compared to previous strains.

The institute asserts that the genetic advancements in the new Nile tilapia strain (Oreochromis niloticus) offer commercial fish farmers in Kenya the opportunity to elevate the production of quality fingerlings. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to a substantial increase in national aquaculture output, aiding the country in achieving a more balanced fish import-export ratio by fostering the production of high-quality products domestically.

KMFRI Researcher Jacob Abwao expressed optimism about the positive impact of this improved strain on fish production and productivity. By supplying it to farmers and seed multipliers, the institute anticipates improved livelihoods for fish farmers. In Kenya, where fish production averages 165,000 metric tons annually, falling short of the estimated nationwide demand of 475,000 MT, Nile tilapia accounts for 80 percent of the country’s fish farming.

This genetic innovation is poised to play a pivotal role in addressing the demand-supply gap, promoting sustainability in the aquaculture sector, and positively influencing the livelihoods of fish farmers in Kenya.

Addressing the challenges of escalating food costs and enhancing school nutrition programs, the Aquaculture Business Development Program (ABDP) has introduced tilapia pond fish farming in schools across Kisumu County. In collaboration with the Kisumu County Directorate of Fisheries, ABDP seeks to make a substantial impact on local dietary diversity and alleviate the strain on food expenses.

Kevin Wamira, the County Project Coordinator, detailed ABDP’s comprehensive support, encompassing pond construction, donation of pond liners, predator kits, tilapia fingerlings, fish feeds, cone garden materials, and extension services for participating schools. The overarching goal is to integrate fish farming into the school feeding program, fostering nutritional diversity through the inclusion of kitchen gardening.

A recent success was witnessed at St. Agnes Muhoroni Primary School in Muhoroni Sub County, where the ABDP team harvested an impressive 278.14 kilograms of tilapia fish. Charles Abonyo, the school’s headteacher, praised the initiative, emphasizing that the addition of tilapia to the traditional diet of githeri, rice, and beans would provide students with a richer source of protein.

Beyond the direct benefits to school nutrition, the project has established a community-based resource centre dedicated to learning about the Competency-Based Curriculum. Abonyo encouraged other schools in the region to allocate resources for pond fish farming, recognizing its potential to bring multifaceted advantages. He also highlighted the positive impact of the initiative on students, noting their enthusiastic adoption of kitchen gardening, with some extending the practice to their homes. This approach not only addresses immediate nutritional needs but also promotes sustainable agricultural practices within the broader school community.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s (UAPB) aquaculture and fisheries program successfully conducted a study abroad initiative with Valley View University in Ghana. The program, supported by a grant from the 1890 Centre of Excellence for International Engagement and Development, aimed to enhance education in aquaculture and fisheries and foster global perspectives among participants.

Led by Dr. Rebecca Lochmann, Dr. Dayan Perera, and graduate student Hannah Knuckles from UAPB, along with Dr. Gulnihal Ozbay and students from Delaware State University (DSU), the initiative had dual objectives. Dr. Perera explained, “First, we wanted to provide educational training in aquaculture and fisheries to students and staff at Valley View University. Secondly, we wanted to train our students to become teachers through experiential learning.”

The training sessions covered essential topics such as water quality measurement, aquaponics system construction, and fish nutrition principles. Dr. Ozbay led workshops on water quality testing, Dr. Perera focused on aquaponics system development, and Dr. Lochmann taught about fish nutrition. The program aimed to equip Ghanaian participants with practical skills to support the growing aquaculture industry in the region.

One notable success was the application of low-tech methods for preparing fish feed. Dr. Lochmann demonstrated how participants could use locally available ingredients to create nutritious fish diets. The hands-on approach, involving a meat grinder, mixer, and pellet maker, showcased the simplicity and feasibility of the process.

Dr. Perera commended the dedication of the Ghanaian participants, highlighting their progress in implementing aquaponics systems in just two years. Some participants, who initially faced challenges, had now established successful aquaculture ventures. Dr. Perera emphasized the impact of the exchange program, stating, “Not only did they immediately put these techniques into practice, but now they are educating others in their own communities.”

The collaboration received support from the 1890 Center of Excellence for International Engagement and Development, emphasizing the commitment to producing globally competitive graduates. Dr. Perera’s recognition with the Chancellor’s Award for Global Engagement further affirmed the success of the program.

UAPB graduate student Hannah Knuckles, who participated in the initiative, expressed gratitude for the invaluable experience gained. She highlighted the importance of sustainable agriculture in addressing global food insecurities and shared insights from her aquaponics research that could benefit farmers in Ghana.

The UAPB aquaculture program’s impact extends beyond borders, exemplifying the university’s commitment to advancing education, research, and extension services in agriculture and fisheries.

Researchers from UC Santa Barbara suggests that African countries could significantly boost economic benefits and safeguard marine biodiversity by forming a collaborative “fish cartel.” The research, published in Nature Communications, underscores the potential advantages of African nations joining forces to sell fishing rights collectively, challenging the current practice of individually selling access to their fisheries.

Lead author Gabriel Englander, formerly a postdoctoral researcher at UCSB’s Environmental Markets Lab (emLab), highlights that the existing system, where foreign fishers can exploit their purchasing power, leads to a substantial disparity between what African countries earn from their fisheries and the profits generated by foreign fishers. For instance, in 2019, Senegal received $90 per ton of tuna caught by European Union vessels, while EU fishers made $1,687 per ton—almost 20 times more.

The proposed “fish cartel” model draws inspiration from the Pacific Islands’ Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA), where nine Pacific Island nations collaboratively manage fishing in their waters since 1982. The PNA’s coordinated approach resulted in higher access fees ($454 per ton in 2019) and contributed to sustainable fishing practices, serving as a potential blueprint for African nations.

Englander emphasizes that raising access fees individually would make African countries less competitive, but collectively negotiating higher prices could yield substantial economic benefits. The suggested “Africa Coalition” could raise access fees from the current $128 to $152, potentially generating an additional $37 million in annual profits and fostering sustainable fishing practices.

While challenges such as differing interests and varying fisheries’ characteristics exist, the researchers believe that, given the continent’s increasing economic integration, an Africa-wide fisheries coalition could be a strategic investment with both short- and long-term benefits for African nations and their marine environments.

“African countries don’t need anyone’s permission to create a fish cartel, and they can begin now,” notes Englander. The proposed initiative offers an opportunity for African countries to exert economic power and simultaneously promote the growth of fish stocks.

Nyanza Region: President William Ruto initiated a four-day development tour of the Nyanza Region, focusing on escalating investments in aquaculture to stimulate the economy. The tour began with the inauguration of the Kabonyo Fisheries Aquaculture Service and Training Centre of Excellence in Kabonyo, Kisumu County.

The newly inaugurated facility is poised to produce up to 10 million fingerlings annually, contributing to the restocking of Lake Victoria. President Ruto emphasized that this project will not only create employment opportunities but also enhance food security and nutrition in the region.

President Ruto highlighted the integral role of fisheries in the country’s food production and announced the construction of eight Fish Landing sites to further boost aquaculture. These landing sites will be equipped with cold storage, processing facilities, and beach management units to optimize profits.

During the tour, the President also expressed the government’s commitment to reviving rice farming, supporting farmers in sunflower production, and addressing challenges in the sugar sector to spur economic growth in the Nyanza Region.

Additionally, President Ruto presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the Urenga Level IV Hospital in Ugenya, emphasizing that innovative health investments would strengthen patient management, enhance disease surveillance, and prevention.

The tour also included the opening of the Mutumbu ICT Hub in Gem, Siaya County, as part of the government’s initiatives to enhance technological infrastructure in the region.

Ghana is on the brink of a revolutionary change in aquaculture as researchers and industry stakeholders collaborate to develop alternative, cost-effective fish feed. The high cost of commercial fish feed, primarily due to competing demands for corn and the expensive import of soy meal, has hindered the growth of the aquaculture sector in many African countries.

Ghanaian researchers have been exploring substitutes for traditional ingredients like corn and soy meal for over two decades. Cocoa pod husk, coconut cake, palm kernel cake, and groundnut cake were identified as promising alternatives, but anti-nutritional factors limited their inclusion in commercial production. Recent developments signal a shift, with plans underway to produce commercial fish feed based on alternative ingredients.

The Ghana Aquaculture Association, in collaboration with the Fisheries Commission and the Norwegian Agency for Development, organized a workshop on the “Commercial Development of Fish Feed.” Presentations from key institutions and fish farmers were followed by practical tests of alternative feeds at a modern processing facility. The workshop marked a significant step forward in addressing the rising concerns of fish farmers grappling with escalating feed costs.

Trials will be conducted with aquafeeds incorporating alternative ingredients such as wheat bran, rice bran, corn bran, black soldier fly larvae, duckweed, azolla, and leucaena. The initial trials will involve grow-out feeds tested at various locations, and efforts will be made to address anti-nutritional factors in palm kernel cake, cocoa pod husk, and other alternatives. The ultimate goal is to select formulas for large-scale processing.

Experts and industry players are optimistic about the potential impact of this initiative. Kofitsyo Cudjoe, a senior adviser at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, expressed confidence in witnessing a significant change in aquaculture development in Ghana. Stakeholders believe that embracing alternative feed sources could not only reduce production costs but also contribute to filling the substantial gap in fish supply.

David Adade, CEO of Windmill Farms, shared his positive experience using alternative ingredients like duckweed, water lettuce, and black soldier fly larvae, emphasizing the viability of these alternatives. Livestock nutritionist David Pessey anticipates profitable fish farming in Ghana and envisions sharing the success with other African countries. Discussions are also underway with the government to explore the development of a single-cell protein (SCP) facility, potentially offering a breakthrough solution for affordable local and African aquaculture feed.

Yalelo Limited, Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest fully-integrated aquaculture company, is tackling one of the major obstacles hindering the expansion of Africa’s aquaculture potential. Recognizing the critical role of technology in transforming the sector, Yalelo, owned by FirstWave Group, has unveiled its integrated production management and business intelligence solution on the AquaManager software platform.

The AquaManager software promises to address the challenge of insufficient technology in the African aquaculture sector. By launching this innovative solution, Yalelo aims to support fish farmers in reducing production costs, enhancing operational efficiencies, and ultimately boosting profitability.

With the deployment of AquaManager’s aquaculture software, farmers can now manage, control, and monitor fish production at every stage of the production chain. The software enables seamless data collection, analysis, and utilization for administrative tasks and decision-making processes.

AquaManager Founder Kostas Seferis emphasized that the successful implementation of this technology marks a crucial step towards digitizing the African aquaculture sector. The software allows Yalelo Zambia and Yalelo Uganda to collect data anytime, anywhere, using mobile devices and web platforms, converting this data into valuable information for informed business decision-making.

Real-time monitoring of operations in Zambia and Uganda, where Yalelo operates more than 100 fish cages, has become possible with this technology. The integration of information systems from both geographies into a common cloud infrastructure enhances efficiency and collaboration.

The innovative technology facilitates the evaluation of food suppliers, improvement of feeding and growth of tilapia, and the creation of fish production strategies. AquaManager empowers Yalelo to generate operational and management reports critical for monitoring and controlling fish production in both countries.

With Zambia already reporting increased tilapia production surpassing 30,000 metric tons in 2016, the adoption of AquaManager positions Yalelo as a key player in transforming the country into a tilapia production hub in Sub-Saharan Africa.

FirstWave Group Co-CEO Bryan McCoy expressed satisfaction with the AquaManager deployment, emphasizing its role in providing daily visibility into operational performance, supporting customer demand, and ensuring a steady and increasing supply of fish.

The introduction of AquaManager to Sub-Saharan Africa aligns with the African Union’s concerns about the continent’s low contribution to global aquaculture production. With a mere 2 percent share, the union emphasizes the need for increased grants to support research and the development of modern technologies to address challenges in Africa’s aquaculture value chain.

Africa currently contributes a mere 2 percent to the world’s farmed seafood production, with an estimated annual output of 2.3 million metric tons. However, experts believe the continent has the potential to reach 15 million metric tons by 2050. WorldFish, a nonprofit organization with over 45 years of experience, has been leading initiatives to enhance sustainable aquaculture and fisheries projects in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, aiming to address hunger, malnutrition, and poverty.

SeafoodSource recently interviewed WorldFish Director General Essam Yassin Mohammed, who shared insights into the status of Africa’s aquaculture industry, the challenges it faces, and potential investment opportunities, particularly for the European Union (EU).

Investment Opportunities and Challenges:

Mohammed highlighted the diverse and dynamic nature of Africa’s aquaculture sector, presenting multiple opportunities and challenges. The continent boasts vast water resources, a growing demand for fish products due to urbanization, and competitive advantages like affordable labor and land. Countries such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Madagascar have already experienced substantial growth in aquaculture, showcasing potential for others.

Regional initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are facilitating smoother intra-African trade and business operations. However, challenges include infrastructure limitations, regulatory ambiguities, access to finance, and specific skill gaps in modern aquaculture practices. Mohammed emphasized that while these challenges exist, they are not insurmountable, with African nations increasingly collaborating and sharing knowledge to overcome obstacles.

Role of African Governments:

Mohammed underscored the pivotal role of African governments in attracting European Union investments. Transparent regulatory structures are crucial to ensure sustainable practices and build investor confidence. Infrastructure development, especially in supply chains connecting production areas to markets, is a key focus. Additionally, investments in training and capacity-building demonstrate a commitment to developing human capital, preparing local industries for collaborations with European entities.

Mohammed emphasized the importance of ethical investment that prioritizes inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. European stakeholders are urged to avoid merely exploiting Africa’s resources and instead engage in relationships that benefit local communities, conserve cultures and ecosystems, and ensure long-term sustainability.

On a whole, the interview highlighted the immense potential for growth in Africa’s aquaculture sector and the crucial role that responsible and ethical investment, particularly from the European Union, can play in fostering sustainable development and benefiting all stakeholders involved.