German-Kenyan venture to build East Africa’s largest aquafeed mill

KENYA – East Africa is set for a major leap in aquaculture development after DiscoverAqua, a joint German–Kenyan venture, announced plans to build what will become the region’s largest aquafeed mill at Athi River in Machakos County. 

The state-of-the-art plant, to be built by Swiss technology provider Bühler, will have a capacity exceeding 20 tons per hour and is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026.

The high-capacity plant will be the largest of its kind in East Africa and the second largest on the continent, supplying a wide spectrum of feeds for freshwater and marine aquaculture. 

Products will include floating pellets, sinking and slow-sinking pellets for column and bottom-feeders, specialized hatchery diets for larval and juvenile stages, and supplementary farm-made feeds for farmers operating cages, raceways, and pond systems.

DiscoverAqua plans to serve not only the Kenyan market but also Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and select West African countries. 

By producing high-quality diets tailored to local species and conditions, the venture intends to cut reliance on imported feeds and strengthen regional circular economies.

The investment arrives at a time when East Africa faces rising pressure from rapid population growth and increasing fish demand. 

With the regional population projected to double from 175 million to 350 million by 2050, Africa’s annual fish consumption is expected to reach as high as 29 million tons, up from today’s roughly 10 million tons. Currently, more than 40% of fish consumed in the region is imported.

“Our vision is clear: to empower East Africa’s aquaculture sector with reliable, affordable, and nutritionally optimized feed, designed for local conditions, built with local ingredients, and backed by science,” the company said.

Boosting farmer productivity

DiscoverAqua’s model integrates feed production with technical support to help farmers improve yields and profitability. 

The company notes that more than 70% of East African farmers identify poor feed quality and high prices as their main challenges, issues that the new plant aims to tackle. 

Through locally sourced formulations, the venture estimates it can reduce feed costs by up to 30% and improve feed conversion ratios by over 20%.

Farmers will receive customized diets aligned to species, growth stage, and environmental conditions, alongside on-farm trials, training, and advisory services. Digital platforms will support record-keeping, feeding schedules, and remote consultations.

“This isn’t just a feed mill; it’s a knowledge hub. We’re rolling out mobile advisory services, on-site training, and digital tools to help farmers make smarter decisions and grow healthier fish,” the company added.

The facility will also focus on sustainability by incorporating local ingredients such as cassava, sunflower cake, insect proteins, fishmeal, and soy into its formulations. 

“We’re not just feeding fish; we’re feeding the future,” the company emphasized. “By replacing imported fishmeal with sustainable alternatives like insect protein and oilseed byproducts, we’re cutting carbon footprints and supporting local agriculture.”

Strengthening distribution remains a core priority. The venture plans to establish regional depots and build partnerships with agro-dealers, cooperatives, and transporters to ensure feeds reach farmers reliably and affordably. 

“We’ve built a decentralized distribution model with regional depots and agro-dealer partnerships to ensure that no farmer is left behind, whether they’re in Kisumu, Kilifi, or Kitale,” the company said.

Regional momentum in aquafeed investments

The DiscoverAqua project is one of several major aquaculture investments emerging across East Africa. 

In September 2025, De Heus Uganda officially commissioned a US$25 million (approx. KES 3.8 billion) aqua feed factory in Buikwe District, the largest in East and Central Africa, with an annual capacity of 100,000 metric tons. 

Equipped with advanced technology from more than ten countries, the facility is expected to bolster Uganda’s aquaculture potential and stimulate demand for local maize, cassava, and soybeans.

“With cutting-edge technology manufactured in more than 10 different countries, the result is the most state-of-the-art aqua feed factory in East Africa,” said Aart Kool, Project Manager, during the handover to Plant Manager Robert Kanyembo.

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