Africa’s aquaculture industry is growing rapidly, offering immense potential for economic development, food security, and youth engagement. However, this expansion is constrained by a significant gap in skilled human resources. The current workforce lacks adequate technical and business training, particularly among women and young people, who are critical to the sector’s long-term sustainability.
This presentation explores practical pathways to bridge the skills gap by leveraging inclusive, context-relevant capacity building programs. Drawing on direct experience from regional training initiatives, youth-led mentorship platforms under the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), and academic-industry collaborations, it highlights successful models of workforce development tailored to the African context. Emphasis will be placed on integrating modern aquaculture technologies, soft skills, and entrepreneurship training into formal and informal aquaculture education systems.
The session advocates for long-term investments in mentorship-driven learning, improved training infrastructure, and stronger policy frameworks. By equipping Africa’s aquaculture workforce with relevant skills and inclusive support networks, we can catalyze innovation, ensure sustainability, and unlock the full potential of aquaculture as a driver of prosperity across the continent.
Keywords:
Capacity building, inclusive training, youth and women in aquaculture, mentorship, Africa