Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector in Africa, with immense potential to strengthen food security, boost rural livelihoods, drive economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability. However, despite this rapid expansion, fish welfare remains significantly overlooked in policy development, training programs, and farm-level operations. This neglect has constrained the sector’s sustainability, productivity, and ethical accountability. Bridging this gap is critical for improving production efficiency, reducing disease outbreaks, and ensuring the long-term viability and global competitiveness of African aquaculture. One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) has emerged as a leading advocate for fish welfare in Africa, beginning with foundational research and pilot training efforts in Nigeria. In response to growing regional needs, OHDI launched the Africa Fish and Aquaculture Welfare (AFIWEL) Program, a pioneering pan-African initiative designed to integrate fish welfare into sustainable aquaculture systems through capacity building, policy advocacy, and systems innovation. Since its inception, AFIWEL has mobilized a network of AFIWEL Fellows across eight African countries and successfully hosted the first Africa Aquatic Animal Welfare (AQUAWEL) Conference, convening stakeholders from policy, academia, civil society, and the private sector. This presentation will highlight AFIWEL’s key milestones, including the integration of RORE, an AI-powered digital assistant providing real-time fish health and welfare guidance to farmers, as well as national training rollouts, and stakeholder engagements. Looking ahead, the program is laying the foundation for a continent-wide ethical aquaculture framework anchored on five strategic pillars: policy integration, stakeholder training and capacity building, improved market access for welfare-compliant fish, strengthened public-private partnerships, and heightened public awareness. This presentation will share actionable insights, replicable models, and engagement opportunities, while also reflecting on the challenges and transformative potential of advancing animal welfare within African aquaculture systems.
Keywords: One Health; Aquaculture; Welfare; Sustainability; Policy; Capacity building