On the occasion of the Aquaculture Africa 2023 (World Aquaculture Society – African Chapter Conference, Lusaka, Zambia, 13–16 November 2023), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Bank Group (WBG) in collaboration with the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF) are hosting a Special Day on Wednesday 15 November 2023.

The FAO-WBG Special Day will focus on crucial topics for advancing the aquaculture sector in Africa including relevant global and regional processes, technologies and innovations, investment, trade, and value chains as well as partnerships. It highlights global, regional, and national development initiatives by FAO, World Bank Group, and partners, aiming to create a resilient and sustainable aquaculture sector across the continent. The event will bring together experts to discuss sustainable practices, innovative technologies, effective resource management, policy frameworks, market access, investment opportunities, and capacity building.

Participants will be invited to engage in fruitful discussions, networking, and partnership building with government representatives, industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and civil society organizations. The collaborative approach will facilitate knowledge sharing and explore potential collaboration.

The FAO-WBG Special Day seeks to inform participants about ongoing initiatives and catalyse collaboration that will be required to foster sustainable aquaculture development in Africa and to build a sector where particularly small producers and communities, especially women and youth, benefit from the region’s rich aquatic resources while ensuring their responsible management and long-term preservation.