The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) of the East African Community (EAC) is implementing the European Union-funded TRUEFISH Project towards advancing aquaculture in the Lake Victoria Basin. The project has three main components that deal with aquaculture business, skills and sustainability respectively. Landell Mills have been appointed to lead the aquaculture business development component, which is known as Component 1. Within this component there are three main focal areas, consisting of:
This paper considers the achievements in these areas. The East African Aquaculture Exhibition and Conference was hosted successfully in Kenya in 2023, and in Tanzania in 2024. The current World Aquaculture Safarti’25 in Uganda is the pinnacle achievement in this area and celebrates the TRUEFISH project and aquaculture in East Africa.
To facilitate the flow of investment, TRUEFISH has developed a regional business plan, regional index for aquaculture, supported the establishment of a the East African Regional Aquaculture Association, and developed a map of investors that can be engaged further.
B2B linkages are being established on an ongoing basis, while dedicated B2B training and contact sessions have been hosted in Kenya, Tanzania and at the current conference in Uganda. Associations have also been supported by study tours to Egypt, China and Nigeria.
The results of these interventions are showing as aquaculture in East Africa develops and features on the global stage. This paper considers the impact of high-level interventions and whether this has sector-wide benefits for aquaculture in the region.