Story by Doreen Ampofo
A high-level meeting to assess the contribution of aquaculture to Africa’s development has been held in Senegal’s capital Dakar. Held from October 7 to 8, 2026, the meeting was jointly organized by the African Network of Institutions for Aquaculture Development and Promotion (RAFAQUA) and the African Network of Fisheries Research and Marine Science Institutes (RAFISMER)—both under the auspices of Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, ATLAFCO. It was held under the theme: “What contribution can aquaculture make to inclusive growth, sustainable development, and job creation in Africa?”
Supported by the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, ATLAFCO, the workshop brought together representatives from ATLAFCO’s 22 member states, as well as the CSRP, Portugal’s AIR Centre, and the OMPDA. The objective was to share experiences and foster synergy among ATLAFCO member states through the RAFAQUA and RAFISMER networks.
Executive Secretary of the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, ATLAFCO, Taoufik El Ktiri praised the high quality of the presentations and contributions, noting that they clearly demonstrate the commitment to develop a sustainable, competitive, profitable, and equitable aquaculture sector for Africa.
In his opening remarks, Chief of Staff to Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries and the Maritime Economy, Mr. Baba Ndiaye, welcomed the hosting of this high-level meeting in Senegal. Faced with declining fish catch coupled with rapid population growth, he argued that “aquaculture now emerges as a credible alternative capable of bridging the gap and contributing significantly to achieving food security goals, creating jobs and income, and combating illegal migration.” To this end, he advocated for a necessary transition to fish farming.
For his part, President of RAFISMER, Mohamed Najih, said “the success of this transition requires breaking away from isolated approaches. We need strong synergy among policymakers, research institutes, the private sector, and our development partners.’ He said the State must play its role as a facilitator by securing investments, standardizing production zones, and modernizing supporting infrastructure.
President of RAFAQUA, Mr. Samba Ka also called for coordinated action across Africa. “We must work together to find sustainable solutions,” he declared.
