World Aquaculture Tanzania 2026 to spotlight Africa’s aquaculture growth

TANZANIA – World Aquaculture Tanzania 2026 (WA26T) will bring global aquaculture stakeholders to Dar es Salaam in December as Tanzania seeks to strengthen production, investment, technology and value-chain development across its growing aquaculture sector.

The World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and the Government of Tanzania officially launched the event on 28 July, signing a conference hosting agreement at a ceremony led by Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

WA26T will take place from 1-4 December 2026 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre alongside Aquaculture Africa 2026 (AFRAQ26). 

The event will be held under the theme “Aquaculture Driving Blue Transformation” and will focus on the development of sustainable aquaculture in Tanzania, Africa, and other global markets.

The conference comes as Tanzania increases its focus on aquaculture production and the infrastructure needed to support the sector. 

Government priorities for 2026/27 include improving fish seed availability, strengthening access to fish feed and water, increasing production and markets, and expanding private-sector investment in livestock and fisheries.

Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has also called for higher production of quality fish seed. 

In March 2026, the ministry directed the Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA) to increase fingerling production to between 5 million and 10 million per month to support aquaculture growth.

The country has expanded aquatic farming significantly in recent years. 

Government figures show aquaculture production increased from 44,735 tonnes in 2021 to 124,000 tonnes in 2025, covering fish, seaweed and other aquatic organisms. 

The government has also supported the construction and distribution of 222 fish cages to producers.

Feed is another area requiring greater capacity as production scales. 

Tanzania’s fisheries investment information identifies compounded fish-feed production as an investment opportunity, noting that domestic feed production has not kept pace with aquaculture growth and that the country faces a supply deficit for quality fish feed.

WA26T will provide a platform for these issues to be discussed alongside broader technical and commercial developments. 

The programme will include scientific and technical sessions, an international trade exhibition, industry forums, student activities, workshops and training sessions. 

Aquaculture tours to farms, fish markets and research and development centres are also planned.

Peter Britz, professor emeritus at Rhodes University and lead of the African Union Centre of Excellence in Fisheries and Aquaculture, will deliver the keynote address on shifting African aquaculture development towards a value-chain approach.

The event is expected to bring together researchers, producers, investors, policymakers, technology providers and other industry stakeholders as Tanzania positions aquaculture as part of its wider blue economy and food-production strategy.

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