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.
