Yalelo Zambia opens 100th retail store as aquaculture firm expands nationwide footprint

ZAMBIA – Yalelo Zambia has opened its 100th company-owned retail store, marking a major milestone in the aquaculture company’s expansion from a small fish farming startup in 2011 to one of Zambia’s largest vertically integrated fish producers and retailers. 

The milestone reflects the company’s strategy of increasing access to affordable, locally farmed fish while strengthening food security and employment across the country.

The company said its journey began in Siavonga, where its first fish cages were built by hand using an online design. 

Fish were initially delivered directly to markets by truck before Yalelo established its first retail outlet, laying the foundation for a nationwide network.

Today, Yalelo operates stores across major cities, mining towns, farming communities and border towns, stretching from Mongu in Western Province to Chipata in Eastern Province and from Katima Mulilo to Nakonde. 

The company said its mission has remained unchanged: making fresh, nutritious fish more accessible to Zambian households.

The expansion of its retail network strengthens Yalelo’s vertically integrated business model, allowing the company to manage production, processing, distribution and retail while maintaining product quality and supply consistency.

The milestone also highlights the rapid growth of Zambia’s aquaculture sector, which has become an increasingly important contributor to national food security as demand for affordable animal protein continues to rise.

Yalelo thanked its founders, employees, customers, investors, suppliers and community partners for supporting the company’s growth over the past 15 years.

The company said the next phase of expansion will continue to focus on creating jobs, supporting local communities and increasing access to healthy fish products across Zambia and the wider region.

Aquaculture drives Zambia’s protein supply

Aquaculture has emerged as one of Zambia’s fastest-growing livestock sectors, helping reduce pressure on capture fisheries while improving the availability of affordable protein.

Yalelo has positioned itself as one of the country’s leading aquaculture businesses through investments spanning fish farming, processing, cold-chain logistics and retail distribution. 

Its production facility in Siavonga supplies fresh and frozen fish to an expanding network of retail outlets across Zambia, while the company has also expanded operations into neighbouring markets, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Uganda and Malawi.

The opening of the 100th store reinforces the growing role of integrated aquaculture businesses in strengthening domestic food systems and improving access to high-quality animal protein as consumer demand for fish continues to increase across Africa.

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