African women in aquaculture to take center stage at World Aquaculture Safari 2025

UGANDA – The indispensable yet often overlooked role of women in aquaculture will take the spotlight at the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 (WA25), with the landmark launch event of ‘Africa Women Leaders in Research and Development’ set to convene on June 25, 2025, at the Speke Resort Munyonyo.

The one-day event will bring together prominent women researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and practitioners from across Africa and beyond to showcase their contributions, share insights, and chart a transformative path for gender equity in aquaculture.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women make up nearly 70% of the global aquaculture workforce, mainly in post-harvest processing and marketing. 

However, their work is frequently undervalued or invisible in data systems, policies, and funding frameworks. The sector’s gender-blind approaches have left women predisposed to systemic discrimination and marginalisation.

The Women Leaders’ event at WA25 aims to address this imbalance by providing a platform to amplify women’s voices and highlight their crucial contributions to sustainable aquaculture. The goal is not only recognition but also policy and practical shifts. 

“Up-scaling women’s contributions by recognising their knowledge, investing in labour-saving technologies in processing and marketing while training on the latest innovations, best practice and sustainable management of aquatic resources is key,” the FAO emphasises.

WA25, scheduled from June 24–27, is Africa’s largest aquaculture gathering and is expected to attract close to 2,000 delegates from around the world. 

Hosted at the lakeside Speke Resort in Kampala, the conference will feature a robust agenda of plenaries, technical sessions, and exhibitions from nearly 150 aquaculture-related organisations.

The Africa Women Leaders in Research and Development event is one of the flagship side events of WA25 and is poised to catalyse change in how women’s roles in the sector are valued and supported.

Encouraging stakeholders to invest in aquaponics 

In addition to celebrating women’s leadership, the conference will also host a highly anticipated Introduction to Aquaponics workshop on June 24. 

Open to participants of all backgrounds, the workshop provides foundational knowledge in aquaponics technology, a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. 

According to the organisers, “By completion of this workshop, the learner will have a basic understanding of the technology of aquaponics. How it works. How to build your own aquaponics system and how to operate and manage the system.”

The workshop, which costs US$85 and includes refreshments, will be led by aquaponics expert Henk Stander and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It offers an opportunity to learn how to design, manage, and even commercialise aquaponics systems.

With themes centred on inclusion, innovation, and sustainability, WA25 promises to be more than just a technical forum; it will be a call to action. 

The women leaders’ event, in particular, is expected to spur new collaborations and renew the urgency for gender-responsive reforms in aquaculture policy, research, and development.

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