By Abdullahi lukman
Africa’s rapidly growing fisheries and aquaculture sector is emerging as a cornerstone of economic development and food security on the continent, but new research warns that significant investments and policy reforms are urgently needed to sustain this growth and prevent potential food shortages in the future.
The latest report from the 15th Malabo Montpellier Panel, titled: FISH-FRIENDLY: Policy Innovations for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa, highlights the impressive expansion of Africa’s seafood sector, particularly in aquaculture, which has seen production surge more than five-fold since 2000.
As of 2022, Africa produced 2.5 million metric tons (MT) of aquaculture products, with growth serving as a critical driver for both economic development and food security.
The sector now employs approximately 6.1 million people across the continent and provides nearly 20 percent of Africa’s animal protein intake.
Despite these impressive strides, the report stresses that Africa’s rapidly growing seafood sector faces significant challenges.
The continent is expected to experience a seafood supply deficit of 11 million MT by 2030.
To address this, the report calls for targeted investment and comprehensive policy action to ensure that the sector can meet the demand for fish and other aquatic foods, while also contributing to environmental sustainability.
By 2050, Africa’s aquatic food supply must increase by 74 percent to maintain current per capita consumption levels.
Joachim von Braun, professor at the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn and Co-Chair of the Malabo Montpellier Panel, emphasized the importance of the sector in both nutrition and economic development.
“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,” he said.
The report notes that while the sector holds significant promise, several factors are limiting its full potential.
Key challenges include inadequate infrastructure, lack of investment in new technologies, and issues related to resource management and sustainability.
For example, illegal fishing, which depletes fish stocks and undermines the sector’s potential, continues to be a major problem in several regions of Africa.
Furthermore, the lack of sufficient policy frameworks in some countries has led to inefficient management of the sector, hampering its growth and potential.
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The Malabo Montpellier Panel outlined several key priorities for strengthening Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture sector in the coming years. Investing in infrastructure, technology, and regulations is crucial.
This includes the development of hatcheries, the use of renewable energy in processing, and the promotion of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems.
IMTA systems, which combine the cultivation of different species to improve efficiency and sustainability, could be vital in expanding the sector.
The report stresses the importance of supporting smallholder farmers, who make up a significant portion of the sector.
Providing more financial tools, access to mobile technology, and improved training will make smallholders more resilient to economic shocks and climate variability, while also helping them tap into new markets.
Increasing research funding and workforce development are also critical.
Investing in research and development will drive innovation in aquaculture practices and seafood production.
The sector also needs a more skilled workforce, which can be achieved through increased investment in education and training, as well as tax incentives to encourage growth and investment in the sector.
Lastly, the report highlights the need for enhanced regional cooperation and trade. Harmonized regulations, standardized certification, and streamlined trade procedures would improve regional cooperation and expand market access across African countries.
Simplifying cross-border trade of seafood products could open new markets and increase the flow of goods within Africa.
Von Braun pointed out that the African continent’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has immense untapped potential, but to fully benefit from this growth, the region must overcome several challenges.
By investing in the necessary infrastructure, encouraging innovation, and addressing illegal fishing and resource mismanagement, the sector can be a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation, and enhanced food security in Africa.
The report also emphasizes that collaboration between African governments, the private sector, and international partners is essential to ensure the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Regional cooperation, along with innovation in policy and technology, is key to creating a resilient and thriving sector that can meet the growing demand for aquatic foods in Africa.
while the seafood sector is expanding rapidly across the continent, Africa must take bold action to ensure its long-term success.
The right policy frameworks, infrastructure investments, and innovations in sustainability are necessary to prevent shortages and strengthen the sector’s contribution to food security and economic development.
