Nairobi, Kenya — The United Nations has issued a call for a significant expansion of fish farming in Africa to address the continent’s growing food security challenges.
The UN’s fisheries division highlighted that while fish and seafood now represent a $184-billion global trade, Africa’s contribution to this market is lagging behind.
The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed that fish farming, or aquaculture, surpassed 100 million tonnes in 2024, a milestone that Africa is yet to achieve. Currently, only 18 percent of fish consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa comes from farms, compared to the global average of around half.
The FAO director, Manuel Barange, emphasized the potential of aquaculture to be a game — changer for Africa. “It’s an opportunity waiting to be exploited, “he stated. “But it’s whether the timing is sufficiently fast to catch up with that demand. “.
The FAO predicts that Africa’s fish production will need to grow by 68 percent by 2050 to meet the demands of its rapidly expanding population. Aquaculture is seen as a more predictable and sustainable approach than traditional sea fishing, particularly in the face of climate change. It also offers a means of managing overfishing, with the report noting that only 62 percent of global fisheries were sustainably fished.
The FAO argues that the development of aquaculture in Africa could create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
However, the expansion of the aquaculture sector in Africa faces challenges such as insufficient infrastructure, limited access to finance, and the need for better regulations to attract investors.
The FAO is urging governments to create an enabling environment for the growth of the aquaculture sector.
The Our Ocean Conference, held in Kenya, has provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss and collaborate on solutions to marine conservation and sustainable fisheries.
The focus on aquaculture as a key component of Africa’s food security strategy is a significant development that could have far-reaching implications for the continent’s economic and social development.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: AfricaNews
