Over the past decade, ACMS has visited and collaborated with a diverse range of aquaculture producers and value chain stakeholders. We noted that a common thread running through much of the sector in Africa is the lack of a fundamental understanding of the key commercial drivers behind production. Whilst commercial-scale fish farming plays a prominent role in forward food security on the continent, what is not clear is the inherent complexity that lies beneath the surface. We have noted that there is a largely adequate field of technical know-how, but a broader availability of knowledge, driven by real experience, is sorely lacking. This is the gap that the InDepth course on Basic Aquaculture Management has been designed to fill. The presentation will provide direct insight into the course and its operation. We will welcome a follow-up discussion on how to build on this base to ensure the broadest possible reach in all aspects of the sector.