Aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) holds great promise for improving food security, creating employment, and driving rural development. However, the sector remains underdeveloped due to persistent challenges such as limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, and weak institutional frameworks. This presentation highlights findings from a recent FAO technical paper that explores how public–private partnerships (PPPs) can serve as an innovative mechanism to overcome these constraints and catalyze sustainable aquaculture growth in the region.
Drawing on case studies from Uganda, Ghana, and East Africa, the study categorizes PPPs into three main types: partnerships for innovation, technology, and knowledge transfer; partnerships for aquaculture value chain development; and partnerships for infrastructure development. Examples include laboratory testing services to meet export standards, integrated value chain models, and the innovative use of public wastewater infrastructure for fish production.
The paper also examines the legal and governance frameworks enabling PPPs in aquaculture and identifies critical gaps that hinder their effectiveness, such as regulatory ambiguity and financing constraints. It concludes with actionable recommendations for governments, private sector actors, and donors to create enabling environments, design scalable PPP models, and invest in innovation and infrastructure tailored to small- and medium-scale aquaculture enterprises.
This work underscores the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to unlock the full potential of aquaculture in Africa through responsible, inclusive, and results-oriented PPPs.