Senegal’s Saint-Louis region to host US$30M aquaculture project

SENEGAL – Senegal is taking significant strides to boost its aquaculture sector with an 18 billion CFA francs (US$30 million) investment in an industrial aquaculture park in the Saint-Louis region. 

The project, spearheaded by the China National Fisheries and Aquaculture (CNFA), was announced by the Senegalese National Aquaculture Agency (ANA) on September 7, 2024. 

This investment is crucial to Senegal’s broader diversified fish production strategy.

Although fishing currently dominates the sector, providing nearly all the local fish supply, the Senegalese government is keen on expanding aquaculture’s contribution. 

The announcement follows the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing from September 4 to 6. 

ANA also signed a memorandum of understanding with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) at this event. 

This partnership will focus on marine aquaculture development and large-scale infrastructure projects.

The Saint-Louis industrial park is part of ANA’s ambitious plan to increase aquaculture production from the current 1,600 tonnes to 68,000 tonnes by 2032, further solidifying Senegal’s position as one of West Africa’s largest fish producers. 

The project is expected to boost sustainable fish production, aligning with global efforts to meet rising seafood demand while mitigating overfishing pressures.

In a similar development last year, Senegal invested in establishing a state-of-the-art development centre dedicated to aquaculture in Ndiaganiao, located in the Thiès region, highlighting another major investment in the industry.

The aquaculture centre, which became operational in 2024, will represent a substantial investment of 481 million CFA francs (US$773,500).

It is designed to comprise various facilities, including a fry production hatchery, fish pre-growing and grow-out ponds, an administrative building, a work site for sorting fish, a processing centre, and a training centre focusing on fish farming techniques.

According to Tening Sène, the National Aquaculture Agency General Director (ANA), the project’s main goal is to produce two key fish species, tilapia and catfish, with an anticipated annual yield of more than 436 tonnes of fish.

“The initiative is part of the broader Natural Resources Management Project in Senegal (PGRNS), with the aquaculture component being financially supported to the tune of 6 billion CFA francs (approximately US$9.6 million),” Ms Sène noted. 

These projects come at a time when Senegal’s fisheries industry has been growing exponentially. 

According to a Global Agricultural Information Network report by the USDA, the fisheries sector contributes 3.2% to Senegal’s gross domestic product (GDP), accounts for 10.2% of Senegal’s exports, generated US$400 million in value in 2021, and employs over 600,000 people.

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