Lüderitz Bay: Established infrastructure with harbour, processing industry and logistics provides a solid foundation for the farming initiative.
Photo: African Aquaculture
The first commercial sea-based salmon farming facility in Africa will be made possible thanks to the collaboration agreement signed by aquaculture technology supplier AKVA Group and African Aquaculture.
It is one of the largest aquaculture ventures in the Southern Hemisphere, as its construction is planned on the coast of Lüderitz, Namibia, an area with stable currents and optimal temperatures.
AKVA Group and African Aquaculture will begin by adapting five floating pens, which will include mooring, feeding systems, cameras, and digital solutions. The production license obtained allows for up to 51,000 tons of salmon.
Regarding this, Export Director Kjell Egil Riska at AKVA group assured: "We have worked closely together to find solutions suited both to the environment and to local challenges. The collaboration agreement marks the beginning of a development process that can pave the way for future deliveries and a new industry in Africa."
This initiative has also received approval from Namibian authorities for its high potential to generate employment, expertise, and export revenues. The first smolt is scheduled to be stocked in 2026, with harvest planned for 2027.
"For us, it has been crucial to align with a solid partner who can contribute with experience, technology, and understanding of international deliveries. AKVA group shares our vision of building a robust industry in Namibia, and this collaboration agreement is an important first step," added CEO Helge Krøgenes of African Aquaculture.
"This is not only about producing salmon. It is about introducing a new industry to a new continent in a responsible way – with environmental care, local value creation, and strong partners by our side," he concluded.
