The report estimates that Africa’s aquatic food production must rise by 74% by 2050 to maintain current per capita fish consumption. Pictured: a Mozambique fisherman at work.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
A new expert report highlights the urgent need for innovative policies to diversify and promote sustainable growth in Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, a vital contributor to the continent’s food security and economic development. The publication, FISH-FRIENDLY: Policy Innovations for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa, comes from the Malabo Montpellier Panel, a group of leading agriculture and food security experts.
The report highlights that since 2000, Africa’s aquaculture production has increased by more than five-fold, reaching 2.5 million metric tons (MT) in 2022 - the fastest growth rate of any region worldwide. Today, aquatic foods provide nearly 20% of Africa’s animal protein supply, with approximately 6.1 million people employed in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
However, the report warns that without substantial policy and investment interventions, the continent could face a shortfall of 11 million MT annually by 2030. It estimates that Africa’s aquatic food production must rise by 74% by 2050 to maintain current per capita fish consumption.
"Fish and other aquatic foods play an increasingly important role in African diets and economic development. To benefit more from this growing sector, governments and the private sector need to facilitate innovation and address limiting factors like feed supplies in aquaculture and illegal coastal fishing," said Prof. Joachim von Braun, Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, and Co-Chair of the Malabo Montpellier Panel, in a press release.
"This report illustrates how forward-thinking policies can foster the innovations needed to transform the continent's fisheries and aquaculture sector into a powerful engine for economic growth, jobs, and food security, while protecting the related ecologies," von Braun added.
The report reviews successful strategies in several African countries, highlighting Ghana, Malawi, Morocco and Mozambique as having shown "considerable success and progress in growing their fisheries and aquaculture sectors".
Key projects highlighted include Ghana's Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) program, launched to boost fish production and create youth employment opportunities. Ghana has also constructed the National Aquaculture Centre near Accra, building 265 aquaculture production facilities, and supplying 32 million fingerlings in 2023.
Meanwhile, Malawi established an Aquaculture Business School to provide training in organization, processing, and technical skills to 4,500 small-scale producers, while the Inclusive Business and Entrepreneurial Models (IBEMs) initiative trained over 1,000 farmers - 60 percent of them women -in modern aquaculture practices, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Morocco is another country highlighted in the report, whose Halieutis Strategy, a comprehensive fisheries and aquaculture plan launched in 2009, has led to the country becoming a top fish exporter to the European Union. Morocco's Small-Scale Fisheries Project also upgraded landing sites, built port facilities, and established marine protected areas, while providing training and market access to nearly 20,000 artisanal fishers.
The report also highlighted Mozambique's introduction of the MaisPeixe Sustentável (More Sustainable Fish) program, offering matching grants to artisanal fishers and small enterprises to improve fishing techniques, reduce climate vulnerability, and boost food security. Over 1,000 households have benefited from better gear, improved post-harvest methods, and targeted training, the report states.
The Malabo Montpellier Panel experts have recommended action on four critical areas to support Africa's fisheries and aquaculture sector.
First of all, they urge investment in infrastructure, technology, and regulations, supporting hatcheries, preservation, and processing facilities powered by renewable energy, and developing robust monitoring systems to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Secondly, they advise strengthening support for smallholder aquaculture, through development of financial products, mobile applications, and training programs tailored to small-scale producers to expand market access and resilience.
The third recommendation is to support innovation and increase research funding, including establishing innovation hubs and mentorship initiatives to train a skilled workforce, and directing more resources toward sustainability research and development.
Finally, the panel calls for better regional cooperation, integration, and trade facilitation, through harmonizing fishing regulations, establishing common certification and labelling systems, and streamlining customs procedures to boost intra-African and global trade in fish and fishery products.
"The recently adopted African Union CAADP Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035) and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy underscore the vital role of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in transforming Africa's agrifood systems, ensuring food security and improved nutrition," said Dr. Ousmane Badiane, Executive Chairperson, AKADEMIYA2063 and Co-Chair of the Malabo Montpellier Panel.
"The timing of this report is particularly opportune as Africa aligns its ambitions with these frameworks to redefine its role in global aquatic food systems. The successful interventions highlighted in this report provide workable avenues to accelerate progress toward a productive and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa," Badiane added.
The full report can be accessed on the Malabo Montpellier Panel website: FISH-FRIENDLY: Policy Innovations for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PDF).
