A partnership was signed on Friday, 9 January 2026, at the headquarters of the Strategic Programme for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI), in Cocody, with the aim of supporting the structuring and financing of the national aquaculture value chain. The ceremony was marked by the launch of the initiative known as AQUAFEED.
The agreement brings together four stakeholders involved in production, financing, and organization of the sector. The initiative aims to facilitate aquaculturists’ access to inputs and financing, in a context where the sector continues to face significant economic constraints.
Speaking at the event, the General Coordinator of PSTACI, Modibo Samaké, recalled certain difficulties observed in the field, notably the lack of financial resources and technical support affecting many producers.
He emphasized that the country’s dependence on imports of fishery products remains high. In 2024, Côte d’Ivoire imported more than 800,000 tonnes of fishery products, for an estimated value of over 518 billion CFA francs.
According to him, these figures reflect a major economic and food-security challenge, which has led the authorities to strengthen programmes for the development of the aquaculture sector through PSTACI.
The Managing Director of Advance Côte d’Ivoire, Sarah Doukouré, for her part, indicated that the partnership mainly focuses on establishing financing mechanisms adapted to the realities of aquaculture operations. She recalled that feed costs represent a significant share of production expenses, limiting the profitability of many projects.
Within the framework of AQUAFEED, loans with durations ranging from six to twelve months are offered, with repayment scheduled at the end of the production cycle, according to those in charge of the scheme. The Country Director of Koudijs (Heus Group), Paul Bizard, representing the feed supplier, stated that his company intends to support producers by supplying feed that complies with current quality standards and by providing technical assistance.
For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aquaculture Interprofession of Côte d’Ivoire, Maurice Sawadogo, welcomed the launch of this financing mechanism, while calling on beneficiaries to manage the loans rigorously and to comply with contractual commitments.
The various speakers considered that this partnership could help improve the organization of the sector and production conditions, in a sector identified as promising in terms of employment and food security.
Source: Koaci
