Partnering in a concerted effort to diversify Angola’s economy and realize its developmental objectives, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is joining forces with the European Union to bolster the nation’s fisheries and aquaculture sector through the EU-UNCTAD Joint Programme for Angola: Train for Trade II.
Endowed with a vast coastline and a plentiful workforce in the fisheries domain, Angola stands poised to capitalize on the projected global surge in fish trade, expected to reach 250 million tons by 2030. However, the country’s heavy dependence on crude oil, constituting 93 percent of its exports, underscores the imperative for economic diversification.
Paul Akiwumi, Director of UNCTAD’s division for Africa and least developed countries, underscores the transformative potential of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Angola. Akiwumi emphasizes that this sector can serve as a catalyst for job creation, expanded trade opportunities, enhanced food security, and poverty alleviation, advocating for a concerted focus on leveraging the blue economy for sustainable growth.
With generous funding from the European Union, UNCTAD has already trained 2,700 stakeholders encompassing government officials, private sector actors, academia, and civil society. The training initiatives aim to address various challenges confronting Angola’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, including stock assessment, improved fishing regulations, entrepreneurial skill development, and compliance with safety and quality standards.
Jorge Quituta, Director General of Jorana, a prominent fisheries firm in Angola, underscores the pivotal role of capacity-building in empowering the private sector to play a more substantial role in Angola’s blue economy. Quituta acknowledges the invaluable support extended by UNCTAD and expresses optimism for continued collaboration to further fortify Angola’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
