BENIN – Benin, in collaboration with the African Development Bank, officially launched the Project to Promote Sustainable Aquaculture and the Competitiveness of Fisheries Value Chains in Cotonou.
This initiative aims to enhance the fishing and aquaculture sector’s role in ensuring food security and boosting the local economy.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Gaston Cossi Doussouhoui expressed the long-awaited fulfillment of the fishing community’s needs.
“We have men and women who depend solely on fishing and lacked the resources to reach their potential. This sector has long been neglected, but we are now committed to changing this by leveraging the current political will,” said Doussouhoui.
Since Benin’s independence, the fishing and aquaculture sector remains underutilized despite its significant potential, contributing only 8% to the agricultural GDP and employing about 15% of the active population.
Fisheries production meets just 40% of national demand, leading to substantial imports to cover the deficit.
Recognizing these challenges, the Beninese government, since 2016, has been prioritizing this sector as a key driver of economic growth.
Numerous interventions by development partners and private initiatives have partially addressed the crisis.
The new project aims to further this progress by sustainably enhancing production and productivity in the national aquaculture sector.
With a budget of approximately 24.6 billion CFA francs (US$ 40 M), this five-year project focuses on developing competitive and climate-resilient fish farming.
Key initiatives include the establishment of floating cages and aquaculture villages over large areas, and the creation of attractive commercial value chains to market the production.
The project will also support operational aquaculture businesses such as nursery centers, aquaculture farms, and feed factories to modernize their operations and increase production capacities.
The project aims to produce 65 million fry annually (40 million tilapia, 20 million claria, and 5 million other species) and 30,000 tonnes of food.
Minister Doussouhoui extends gratitude to the African Development Bank and the Global Environment Fund for their unwavering support in achieving food and nutritional security in Benin and urges beneficiaries to cooperate closely with the project for its success.
Robert Masumbuko, the African Development Bank’s country manager for Benin, emphasizes the bank’s commitment to socio-economic development in Benin.
He highlights the swift agreement signing in December 2023, following the project’s approval in November 2023, and reassures that the bank will spare no effort to ensure the project’s success.
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