Aquaculture Africa 2025 Conference (AFRAQ), organized by the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), has partnered with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ GmbH) for the fourth time in Africa. As a leading global organization promoting sustainable economic development, the GIZ partnership with WAS marks a significant milestone in facilitating knowledge sharing among different stakeholder groups from the aquaculture sector and creating opportunities for knowledge and experience exchange, collaborations, and partnerships between African countries.
GIZ’s Global Programs on “Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture” and “Sustainable Aquatic Foods”, implemented on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), are committed to promoting sustainable fishery management and sustainable aquaculture production in Africa. Both programs aim to support small-scale aquaculture producers to increase their production, diversify their source of income and become more resilient to external shocks like climate change. In addition, GIZ is working with “multipliers” like producer groups, service providers, training institutes and research centers, in order to strengthen the capacities of these organizations and further develop their services.
GIZ is collaborating with political partners to support the creation of favorable framework conditions for the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector in Africa. Jointly with partners, GIZ will present implementing experiences and lessons learnt at the World Aquaculture Safari 2025.
Speaking about the partnership, Friederike Sorg, head of Global Programme for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture at GIZ, stated, “We are delighted to be part of the World Aquaculture Safari and AFRAQ2025 with partners from India, Nigeria, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia and Uganda. We look forward to inspiring conversations and networking opportunities on how to take the African aquaculture sector to the next level.”
GIZ will host two sessions at AFRAQ2025. The first session is on Alternative Feeds for Aquaculture. The most common aquaculture is practiced in ponds, and the pond environment is the basis of fish production. Agricultural byproducts are often utilized to supplement the natural feed provided by the pond. To further increase fish production, supplementary feeds can be used for their better utilization and new protein sources can provide alternatives to fish meal. Formulated feeds require investments, which are often too high for small-scale producers. That is why the second session of GIZ is about Access to finance for small-scale aquaculture producers. In this session, we will put a spotlight on the question, how small-scale aquaculture producers can access financial services to further increase their production and contribute to improved food and nutrition security in Africa, and how Business Development Services and advanced training for entrepreneurs can guide them on their way.
GIZ’s commitment to drive innovations in the aquaculture sector and promote fish as a healthy diet and a source of income and livelihood aligns perfectly with the mission of the AFRAQs. The organization looks forward to bringing stakeholders from across Africa and beyond together by facilitating insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
World Aquaculture Safari 2025 will take place from June 24-27, 2025, in Uganda. With a focus on advancing sustainable practices, technology, and research in aquaculture, the event brings together African and global industry professionals, researchers, and innovators to share knowledge and collaborate on the future of the industry.
For further details, visit ww.was.org.
The EU-funded TRUEFISH Project, overseen by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) is the lead sponsor for World Aquaculture Safari 2025. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) is the Gold Sponsor. Silver Sponsors are AQUA GROUP, World Bank, and World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH). Essential Drug Limited is a Session Sponsor. Other sponsors include Aller Aqua (WAS African Chapter’s Corporate Sponsor) and AUDA-NEPAD (Conference Sponsor), as well as WAS premier sponsors.
