Kenya launches youth-led aquaculture initiatives, tackling annual fish deficit

KENYA – The Aquaculture Consortium (TAC) in Kenya, in partnership with the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (Norec), has launched youth-led initiatives aimed at transforming the country’s fisheries sector and bridging an annual fish deficit of about 450,000 metric tonnes.

The initiatives, Young Fish Kenya, Girls in Aquaculture Kenya, and the AgriGrowth/eSamakiDigital platform, were launched during the “From Fish Deficit to Aquaculture Powerhouse” conference in Kisumu. 

The programmes are designed to attract students, out-of-school youth, and women into aquaculture while leveraging technology and financing to scale production and strengthen value chains.

Speaking at the launch, TAC Chief Executive Officer Felix Osok said the initiatives tap into an aquaculture sector with an estimated potential of US$1 billion. 

“Our focus is to move Kenya from a fish deficit to a fish powerhouse on the continent,” he said, highlighting lessons drawn from Norway, a global leader in aquaculture. 

Osok added that the sector faces constraints such as fragmentation, underinvestment, and limited access to technology, especially among small-scale farmers who contribute roughly 80 per cent of the country’s fish supply.

According to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), which participated in the conference, the initiatives aim to strengthen sustainable aquaculture systems through partnerships and innovation. 

KMFRI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Paul Orina, emphasised the importance of evidence-based approaches.

 “There is importance in grounding dialogue in science and industry by outlining the technical pathways needed to transform aquaculture into a scalable and commercially viable sector.”

Government support for the sector was highlighted by Dr Sam Kidera, representing the Principal Secretary for Blue Economy and Fisheries. 

Kidera outlined national priorities for aquaculture growth, ecosystem collaboration, and investment incentives. 

The fisheries sector currently contributes about 0.7 per cent to Kenya’s GDP, with projections indicating growth to 1 per cent by 2027. 

Despite producing 168,000 metric tonnes of fish valued at Sh39.6 billion in 2024, demand continues to outstrip supply, underscoring the urgency for structural reforms and increased investment.

The government is promoting insurance products to de-risk aquaculture, approving over Sh30 billion in sector investments, while Norway continues capacity building through mentorship linking Kenyan and Norwegian practitioners. 

Stakeholders, including the Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association, stressed the need for stronger collaboration, innovation, and skills development to position Kenya as a competitive aquaculture hub in Africa.

Beyond Kenya

In the MEA region, several targeted initiatives are supporting youth and women in aquaculture. 

In Kenya, programmes such as Young Fish Kenya, Girls in Aquaculture Kenya, and the AgriGrowth/eSamakiDigital platform aim to attract students, out-of-school youth, and women into fish farming while leveraging technology and financing to scale production. 

Similar efforts are underway in Nigeria, where the ECOWAS Taenprowiz Fish Production Training and youth enterprise programmes by the National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR) provide hands-on training and business support to hundreds of young aquaculture entrepreneurs. 

In Egypt, initiatives like WorldFish’s Empowering Women Fish Retailers (EWFIRE) and the Abbassa Innovation Hub offer women and youth training, access to processing facilities, and mentorship, collectively strengthening skills, inclusion, and commercial viability across the sector.

This initiative is designed to help the Kenyan government meet its national Blue Economy strategy target of increasing annual fish production to more than 450,000 MT by 2030

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.