How can young Ivorian entrepreneurs be encouraged to tap into the many opportunities offered by the aquaculture sector? That’s the question experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will seek to answer during the inaugural Selab Fisheries Expo, scheduled for April 24–26, 2025, in Abidjan. The announcement was made on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Organized by the Ministry of Animal and Fishery Resources with technical and financial support from the FAO, the event aims to promote fisheries and aquaculture as drivers of sustainable development and food sovereignty.
The expo will feature a rich and diverse program focused on aquaculture, including a high-level panel on scaling up sustainable aquaculture production, a master class on aquaculture as a sustainable source of fish protein, and two specialized panels on innovative financing for a sustainable fisheries sector and market access and value addition of aquaculture products, with participation from FAO experts.
Unlocking Untapped Potential
Despite an estimated annual fish consumption of over 600,000 tons in Côte d’Ivoire, national production only reaches about 100,000 tons, covering a mere 16% of the country’s needs. This gap is filled by imports, resulting in an economic loss of several hundred billion CFA francs each year.
FAO’s Commitment to Côte d’Ivoire’s Food Sovereignty
Joseph Nyemah, FAO Representative in Côte d’Ivoire, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the country’s ambition of achieving food sovereignty by 2030:
“Côte d’Ivoire has abundant natural resources and a dynamic youth. Succeeding in this mission depends on their active involvement. That’s why we’re calling on young people interested in aquaculture to come, learn, and engage. As Minister Sidy Touré often says, aquaculture is Côte d’Ivoire’s next coffee-cocoa. I fully share that vision,” he said.
Tangible Impact Through the Fish4ACP Project
Mme Djiré Foungnigué, National Coordinator of the FAO’s Fish4ACP project, highlighted the progress made thanks to support from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
“Thanks to this project, ten fish farms have been upgraded across the country. It’s absolutely possible to make a decent living from aquaculture—especially tilapia farming—if one is seriously committed,” she emphasized.
She encouraged anyone interested in tilapia farming to attend the expo and engage directly with Fish4ACP beneficiaries to learn from their experiences and discover best practices in the sector.
Source: fratmat
