Kenya Launches Youth Led Aquaculture Programmes to Address Fish Deficit

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

Source: feedbusinessmea

The initiatives Young Fish Kenya, Girls in Aquaculture Kenya and the AgriGrowth/eSamakiDigital platformwere unveiled during the “From Fish Deficit to Aquaculture Powerhouse” conference in Kisumu. The programmes aim to attract young people and women into aquaculture while using technology and financing to support growth in the sector.

Speaking at the launch in Kisumu last week, TAC Chief Executive Officer Felix Osok said the initiatives target students and out-of-school youth, especially girls, to take advantage of opportunities in aquaculture, which has an estimated potential of $1 billion.

“Our focus is to move Kenya from a fish deficit to a fish powerhouse on the continent,” Osok said, adding that the consortium intends to draw lessons from Norway, a global leader in aquaculture.

He said the sector faces challenges including fragmentation, underinvestment and limited access to technology, particularly among small-scale farmers who supply about 80 per cent of the country’s fish.

According to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), the initiatives are focused on strengthening sustainable aquaculture systems through partnerships and innovation.

KMFRI said it took part in the launch of the programmes during the conference in Kisumu.

The institute added that the initiative is part of an ongoing collaboration involving KMFRI, JumboFish Farm and Norec to support aquaculture development while promoting youth participation and gender inclusion.

KMFRI Chief Executive Officer Dr Paul Orina, who joined the meeting virtually, stressed the need for evidence-based approaches in expanding the sector.

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

The conference brought together stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector and development partners, including representatives from Norway, to discuss strategies for expanding aquaculture in Kenya.

Representing the Principal Secretary for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Sam Kidera outlined the government’s priorities in strengthening the sector.

In remarks delivered on behalf of Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi, the government reaffirmed its commitment to policy reforms and investment in fisheries.

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

Kenya produced 168,000 metric tonnes of fish valued at Sh39.6 billion in 2024, but output remains below demand.

The government has approved more than Sh30 billion in investments to support aquaculture and is promoting insurance products to reduce risks in the sector. Norway also continues to support capacity building through mentorship programmes linking Kenyan and Norwegian aquaculture practitioners.

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