Senegal Meeting Advocates Aquaculture for Africa's Food Security

A high-level meeting on aquaculture development took place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 7 to 8, 2026, addressing the urgent need for Africa to adopt aquaculture due to declining fish stocks and rapid population growth. The event, themed “What contribution can aquaculture make to inclusive growth, sustainable development, and job creation in Africa?”, was organized by the African Network of Institutions for Aquaculture Development and Promotion (RAFAQUA) and the African Network of Fisheries Research and Marine Science Institutes (RAFISMER), under the auspices of the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean (COMHAFAT).

Mr. Baba Ndiaye, Chief of Staff to Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries and the Maritime Economy, emphasized the critical role of aquaculture in bridging the gap between fish supply and demand, contributing to food security, job creation, and income generation. The meeting brought together representatives from COMHAFAT’s 22 member states and various organizations to promote cooperation and address common challenges in fisheries.