The World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Conference (WA25 Uganda) took place from June 24 to June 27, 2025, at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo-Kampala, Uganda. Themed “Aquaculture on the Rise,” the event marked a significant resurgence of in-person gatherings at an international aquaculture conference in Africa. It emphasized how partnerships in education, science, technological advancement, and business development continue to support the rapidly growing aquaculture sector on the continent. WA25 Uganda offered something for everyone, catering to a diverse range of interests in aquaculture, and providing valuable opportunities for learning, information sharing, and networking among professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, technical specialists, students, policymakers and development partners.

Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the event attracted over 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa. It was a unique opportunity for participants to celebrate achievements, share ideas and innovations, and forge new partnerships that will help shape the future of aquaculture, which is experiencing significant growth in Africa. Notably, there was a record number of fish farming micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their representative associations participating, underscoring their vital role in aquaculture development in the region.

WA25 Uganda was the second time a WAS global event has been held on African soil, following the successful World Aquaculture Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2017. Since then, WAS has organized the Annual Aquaculture Africa Conferences (AFRAQs) in Egypt in 2022, Zambia in 2023, and Tunisia in 2024, with plans to continue this annual tradition in other identified countries.

The guest of honour was Uganda’s Vice President, Her Excellency Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, who was joined by other senior state dignitaries from Uganda, as well as high-level guests from development partners, including the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), European Union (EU), GIZ, World Bank, FAO, and others. The global WAS President, Dr. David Cline, and the African Chapter President, Ms. Foluke Areola, also attended the event.

The conference's scientific and technical program was filled with sessions that balanced global and African perspectives. Presentations by renowned experts from development organizations, the private sector, and academia sparked debates on strategies and innovations that will shape the future of aquaculture. In total, the program featured 61 sessions, over 500 abstracts, 99 posters, four training workshops, and various side and parallel meetings.

It was encouraging to see the presence of several developmental organizations that participated in previous AFRAQs. These included the EU, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the World Bank, African Union Agencies (AUDA-NEPAD and AU-IBAR), the FAO, the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health Program (WISHH), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), among others. Development partners have been a crucial source of technical assistance for WAS conferences in Africa since 2022, providing diverse expertise, capacity-building resources, financial support, and knowledge-sharing platforms. They also play a key role in strengthening partnerships and fostering international cooperation, enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of WAS conferences.
 

Prominent aquacultural related continental associations and networks that featured at WA25 Uganda included the Aquatic Blue Foods Coalition (ABFC), the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET), the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA), the WAS Portuguese (PALOP) platform and others. The event also marked the launch of new platforms such as the network on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and the Network for African Women Leaders in Aquaculture Research and Development (NOWLA). Noteworthy the African Union also launched their strategic plan for ANAF during the conference.

Over 200 industry players and professionals from Uganda, Africa, and around the world attended WA25 Uganda. Among the major industry players present were Aller Aqua, the corporate sponsor for the WAS African Chapter, along with various aquafeed companies, fish producers, equipment suppliers, and consulting firms. Large-scale aquafeed companies are recognized for bringing a vast network of aquaculture farmers from various countries. The African Aquaculture Business Leaders Network (ABLN), which was launched at the previous conference in Tunisia (AFRAQ2024), was prominently featured at WA25 Uganda.
 

The Students Programme at WA25 Uganda has seen significant improvements compared to previous conferences, with nearly 150 students attending the event, primarily from Africa. A reception session provided aquaculture students with an opportunity to network with one another. Additionally, student presentations (both poster and oral), contests, awards, and career mentorship sessions proved beneficial for the large group of student participants, allowing them to share their work with a broader audience and receive valuable feedback. Makerere University, a renowned institution, served as the flagship collaborative university for WA25 Uganda.

As with all WAS global events, the technical and scientific program was complemented by a major international trade show, featuring 77 exhibition booths from over 20 countries. This allowed companies and developmental organizations to showcase their products and innovations, build connections, and gain insights into the African aquaculture market. Furthermore, aquaculture tours were organized to visit the newly established state-of-the-art aquafeeds factory, De Heus Ltd, located in Jinja, as well as a large-scale tilapia cage culture farm, Victoria Treasures Ltd, in Entebbe and the Aquaculture Research and Development Centre at Kajjansi.
 

On the sidelines of WA25 Uganda, the WAS Global Board of Directors had the opportunity to convene their Annual Board Meeting where decisions on the way forward and direction for the Chapter were made. The African Chapter also convened their Mid-Term Board Meeting 2025 to discuss Chapter business.

Overall, WA25 Uganda was a resounding success consolidating the annual WAS Africa Chapter conference as Africa’s premier aquaculture stakeholder meeting. WAS Global and its African Chapter extend their heartfelt gratitude to the conference sponsors, particularly the EU-funded TRUEFISH Project (overseen by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation) and served as the lead sponsor. GIZ was the Gold Sponsor, while AQUAGROUP, the World Bank, and WISHH contributed as Silver Sponsors. Special thanks go to the conference organizing committees, various premium and session sponsors, exhibitors, collaborators, media partners, and all attendees who played a role in making the event a success. For the full conference program and more information, please visit the AFRAQ25 website. https://was.org/meeting/code/afraq25.

The next World Conference in Africa is scheduled for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 1-4 December 2026. 2025. This is followed by World Aquaculture Ghana 2027, scheduled for late November 2027 in Accra, Ghana. Details will soon be available on the WAS website www.was.org.