Côte d’Ivoire, WorldFish seal deal to host regional aquatic foods innovation hub

CÔTE D’IVOIRE – The Government of Côte d’Ivoire and WorldFish have formalised a landmark Host Country Agreement that will establish WorldFish’s new regional innovation hub for West Africa, marking a pivotal moment for scientific cooperation and aquatic food systems development in the region.

The agreement follows nearly three years of engagement, beginning with an Ivorian delegation visit to WorldFish headquarters in January 2023.

Under the agreement, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire will invest USD 3 million (approx. US$3 million) and provide dedicated office and research infrastructure across Abidjan, Loka, Jacqueville, and Mopoyem. 

These resources will anchor the hub’s operations, enabling expanded research, capacity building, and innovations designed to boost production and strengthen resilience in West Africa’s aquatic food systems.

The investment comes as Côte d’Ivoire continues to rely heavily on fish imports, close to USD 1 billion (approx. US$1 billion) annually. 

Officials say the new partnership with WorldFish will help reduce this dependence by supporting domestic aquaculture growth and enhancing food and nutrition security across the region.

A decisive step for regional science collaboration

WorldFish Director General Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed said the agreement represents a turning point in regional cooperation. 

“Côte d’Ivoire is putting real commitment behind a shared vision for science, innovation and impact across West Africa. This hub will accelerate research and strengthen local capacity so countries can produce more of their own aquatic foods and open up new paths to prosperity in the communities and markets that rely on this sector.”

For Côte d’Ivoire, hosting the regional office is both a strategic and symbolic step. Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries H.E. Sidi Tiémoko Touré said the decision positions the country as a regional leader in aquatic food systems. 

“The establishment of the WorldFish Regional Office in Côte d’Ivoire is a major strategic choice, making our country a hub for coordinating regional research programs, a space for supporting public policies, and a catalyst for innovation to assist countries in their transition to sustainable, high-performing, and competitive aquaculture.”

Connecting global expertise with regional priorities

The new hub will link WorldFish’s global scientific network with national and regional partners, fostering collaborative research that supports job creation, climate resilience, and economic opportunity. 

Its focus will include strengthening domestic production, expanding innovation in aquaculture and fisheries, and contributing to broader efforts to improve food and nutrition security across West Africa.

The agreement follows WorldFish’s recent engagements with other international partners, including a Memorandum of Understanding with Türkiye earlier this month aimed at advancing fisheries and aquaculture research. 

The organisation, which marked its 50th anniversary this year, was also recently honoured by the FAO for its contributions to sustainable aquatic food systems.

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