KENYA – Rio Fish Ltd has returned to the Kaugege Women’s Group to purchase their freshly harvested fish. 

This initiative, backed by Echo Network Africa, is creating a reliable market for these women, boosting their incomes, and minimizing post-harvest losses.

The partnership with the Kaugege Women’s Group exemplifies Rio Fish’s dedication to supporting local women in Homa Bay’s fish value chain. 

By ensuring the entire catch is bought, these women can sustain their livelihoods and achieve financial stability.

Rio Fish Ltd, a for-profit entity, emphasizes sustainable fish farming with a focus on empowering women and youth. 

The company’s innovative approach to transforming the fish industry has gained significant support. 

Earlier this year, Rio Fish, alongside Great Lakes Feeds, received substantial grants from the Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya (IIW-BEK) program. 

Each company was awarded KES 56,000,000 (US$384,000) to further their missions.

The IIW-BEK initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada and managed by the African Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), seeks to empower women and reduce gender disparities in Kenya’s blue economy. 

These grants were part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting 110 women-owned enterprises within the blue economy, promoting job creation and entrepreneurial growth.

Under the leadership of CEO and co-founder Angela Odero, Rio Fish is committed to promoting women’s empowerment and sustainability in aquaculture. 

The company is actively working to eliminate the exploitative sex-for-fish trade, empowering women traders throughout the fish supply chain.

Rio Fish operates aggregation centers that buy fish directly from smallholder farmers, adding value to the fish products. 

The grant was to enable Rio Fish to provide seed capital and training to women and young women, aggregate fish from smallholder farmers, and offer comprehensive training in fish husbandry, financial management, and business operations.

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