Each year since 2023, the WAS African Chapter (WAS-AC) will celebrate individuals, companies and organizations who have made significant contributions to the Chapter and to the development of aquaculture in Africa, in fields of scientific research, education, technological innovations, communication and information exchange. These recipients have transformed our understanding of aquaculture in Africa, impacted mand aquaculture actors positively by contributing to solutions for the advancement of sustainable aquaculture in Africa.

As the curtain of the year 2024 draws to a close, the WAS-AC is still celebrating a remarkable year filled with many achievements in our journey to serve aquaculture development in Africa. Let me take a moment to express our gratitude for your support and collaboration during the year 2024.

Remarks by WAS African Chapter President, Madam Foluke Areola, Presented at AQUACULTURE AFRICA 2024 (AFRAQ24), Hammamet, Tunisia Program Director, Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries for the Republic of Tunisia Mr. Ezzedine Ben Chiekh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock for Republic of Zambia Engineer Himba Cheelo, His Excellency: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for Angola in Algeria and

As part of our strategy for reaching out to ourmembers and key national and regional associations, especially in key producer countries in Africa, I had the opportunity to attend this year’s well-promoted and successful Aquaculture Ghana 2024 Conference, on behalf of the WAS. This took place in April 2024. I was inspired to see and interact with many aquaculture value chain actors, including WAS members there — all with the goal to transform aquaculture development in Ghana.

As predicted in my previous column, the first half of 2024 has been quite busy for us, filled with events and activities as we continue striving to serve and raise the profile of the aquaculture sector in Africa. The executive board members, WAS AC members at large and our partners have been quite visible in organizing and featuring at several strategic meetings, both physically and virtually.

Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa and part of the Maghreb region of North Africa. It is bordered by Algeria to the west and southwest, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Known for its tourism, Tunisia offers countless attractions, including archeological sites (dating back to the 9th Century BC). Its 1,300 km coastline along the Mediterranean boasts countless pristine, sunny and sandy beaches and resorts. The Southern part of the country features the Sahara Desert landscape.

Aquaculture Africa 2024 (AFRAQ24) is pleased to announce Dr. Constantinos Mylonas as its opening keynote speaker. The event, which takes place in Hammamet, Tunisia on 19-22 November 2024 will be hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries with support from other national entities in Tunisia.

The 2nd Aquaculture Africa Conference (AFRAQ23) took place on 13-16 November 2023 at the majestic Mulungushi International Convention Centre in Lusaka, Zambia. Themed “Resilient value chains in the blue economy” AFRAQ23 attracted nearly 1200 attendees from industry, academia, government, and development partners. Delegates hailed from 73 countries around the world, but mostly African nations. The event took place as WAS-AC was celebrating five years of existence; the Chapter was formally established in November 2018.

Ms. Foluke Omotayo Areola is the new WAS African Chapter President, having been inaugurated at the most recent Aquaculture Africa (AFRAQ23) Conference in Lusaka Zambia (November 2023). Ms. Areola, a long serving WAS member, is a former Federal Director of Fisheries Quarantine in Nigeria (within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development). She is also a former President of the Fisheries Society of Nigeria (FISON) and a Board Member to various organisations in the country.

As we begin the home-stretch to the much awaited 2nd Aquaculture Africa Conference (AFRAQ23), scheduled for Zambia (13-16 November 2023), I thought I should reflect more on the theme of the event: Resilient value chains in the blue economy. This theme augurs well with what the sector has experienced in recent years – a myriad of emerging threats in addition to known traditional and long-term challenges.