Africa now represents 6% of the total world production ofPeaches and aquaculture, showing cumulative growth of 83% since 2000, according to the FAO Global Fisheries and Aquaculture Report 2026.
The continent is home to 18% of the and has the second largest non-powered fleet in the world (42% of the world’s non-powered vessels), while employing 9% of the world’s primary sector workers.
In terms of food security, the report indicates that Africa has « the lowest average per capita availability in the world for aquatic food, with 9.1 kg per capita in 2023 ». Nevertheless, it has « the world’s second highest contribution of aquatic proteins to total animal protein intake, 19%, » illustrating a strong continental dependence on these resources.
By 2034, if overall availability is expected to increase by 18%, the report points out that « availability per capita should decrease there due to population growth that surpasses the increase in supply ». To reverse these trends and sustainably structure the future of the sector in the face of food security challenges, ambitious national policies are being put in place.
In this perspective, Senegal is not left behind. Prime Minister Al Aminou Lô, during his General Policy Statement (DPG) had stressed through the « Masterplan 2025-2034 » that « its implementation in fisheries and aquaculture will have to increase fish production to 563,724 tons and aquaculture production to 239,902 tons by 2034, while strengthening the fight against illegal fishing ».
On the commercial level, the document highlights a « negative trade balance in weight of products (-1 million tons), but a positive trade balance in economic value (+2 billion USD), accompanied by a net gain in protein (+126,000 tons) ». Africa « exports products of high economic value and imports products that, although of low economic value, are rich in nutrients ».
According to the authors, despite persistent constraints in low-income countries, the potential for aquaculture development remains crucial for the future of the continent.
