WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2024 67 equipment. I am also a founding partner of a flourishing shrimp farm near Port-Said Governorate, Egypt with a yearly production capacity of 25 metric tonnes. I am still the Vice Chairman of the EgAS, and occupy other strategic and leadership roles in research and innovation in Egyptian aquaculture. Internationally, I continue to be consulted for the establishment of aquafarms. For instance, I am one of the lead consultants for TANLAPIA Ltd. https://tanlapia.com/, an upcoming and fledging aquaculture business enterprise in Tanzania. Being an expert on Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture systems in desert and arid lands (aquaponics, sandponics, IMTA systems, etc.), I also do consultancy and advisory work on aquaculture in several North African and Middle - Eastern countries, amongst other roles. I have done some extensive consulting work for the FAO, World Fish and several other organisations. I am still a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the WAS African Chapter, where as President Emeritus, I keep providing strategic direction for the Chapter’s business operations to serve aquaculture in Africa. I am also playing a role in the organisation of the upcoming Aquaculture Africa 2024 Conference scheduled for Tunisia from 19 to 22 November 2024. You are very passionate about Africa’s continental cooperation on aquaculture development. From your perspective, what do you think needs to be done for Africa to unite the continent on this front? I am a strong proponent of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), and I keep praying that one day it will be a strategic vehicle to bring Africa together and advance the continent’s aquaculture developmental agenda. We are in the process of exploring how WAS-AC could play a strategic role in this mix. I believe the free movement of Africa’s peoples, goods and services, and improved trade amongst ourselves as Africans, will go a long way in us realising the dream of a sector that will meaningfully feed the rapidly growing population, yet minimise the large volumes of imported fish and fish feeds we are witnessing today. I also laud the great efforts by continental organisations and development partners such as the African Union, WorldFish, FAO, Africa Development Bank, the EU and many other international partners that are contributing to solutions for Africa’s aquaculture challenges. In your opinion, how do you see the growth of aquaculture in Egypt in the next decade? Egypt is relatively advanced in aquaculture development and is still a strategic global “giant”, producing over 80% of the total African aquaculture output by volume, mostly by tilapias. Aquaculture production peaked to 1,576 million metric tonnes in the year 2021, with the annual share per capita being 19.4 kg. I believe the country’s strong foundation will ensure the sector remains resilient, weathering through many of the present challenges. I must however highlight that the country is presently facing many challenges around doing business in aquaculture, as we are seeing the economic situation in Egypt negatively impacting many aqua businesses — contributing to the high cost of aquafeeds, marine seeds, high energy costs and other overheads that push the cost of production up significantly. The availability of good water quality for aquaculture expansion is also slowly becoming an issue. What are 3 topical issues that you think need to be addressed in order for African aquaculture to fully realise its potential in the next decade? There are many issues, but in a nutshell, there remains policy, governance, and international relations challenges that need to be carefully and strategically addressed in order for the continent to move in one direction, learning from each other. I again bring the AfCTA into the mix here. This historic agreement, signed by 44 African Union member states in March 2018, is set to promote intra-African trade, and international exports, and provide equal opportunities for businesses across the continent. The removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers will enable more efficient supply chains and expansion into new markets, benefiting both large companies and small and medium-sized businesses. Addressing the needs of small-scale aquaculture entities should be paramount, as I believe this sub-sector will be the future for African aquaculture growth. Our broader economies are being impacted by the geo-political environment and also climate change impacts. There is a need to find solutions to mitigate these challenges and for the sector to remain resilient. Lastly, many African countries are talking of opening up space and investments in the blue economy domain. The profile of aquaculture needs to be raised higher for the sector to meaningfully contribute to Africa’s food security and economic gains. Lastly, you are playing a key role once again in the organisation of the upcoming Aquaculture Africa 2024 Conference (AFRAQ24) scheduled for Tunisia in November 2024. What expectations do you have and what should we look forward to at this event? Yes, I am in the AFRAQ24 Steering Committee — a decision making body for the Conference, working together with the WAS Conference Management. There is something for everyone at AFRAQ24 and I wish to encourage the Egyptian, African, Arab Union and global aquaculture community at large to register and come to Tunisia for this monumental event. Tunisia is one of the fastest growing aquaculture countries in Africa, and has many exciting things to look out for within its marine aquaculture sector, but also around its active support institutions. It is one of the leading countries in Africa and in the Mediterranean region when it comes to championing investments within the framework of the blue economy. We are anticipating a large exhibition platform. I also believe Tunisia will be an attractive venue for many of our African Francophone and Arabic countries, but also for the large aquaculture community along the Mediterranean, Middle-East and European region. The AFRAQ24 programme is packed and covers developmental issues and the latest aquaculture research. The event will also be a meeting hub for developmental agencies, NGOs and institutions in Africa — where they can hold plenary talks, meetings, seminars, investment forums and satellite workshops on African aquaculture projects and activities. The programme has a component for student’s networking and aquaculture tours to exciting facilities around Tunisia. There will be pre- and post-event touristic opportunities for those intending to explore the beauties of the Tunisian landscape. AFRAQ24 will undoubtedly be the place to be in November 2024! I hope to see many of you in Tunisia! Conference details are available on the WAS website www.was.org
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