Senegal’s aquaculture ambitions drive new hubs, major investments

SENEGAL – Recent reports indicate that Senegal is advancing its aquaculture sector to alleviate pressures on its heavily utilised fishing resources. 

The country, where fishing supplies nearly all local fish demand, has set its sights on developing aquaculture as a significant contributor to national fish production. 

According to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS) on October 30, the government has selected the Kolda region in particular to host a new aquaculture center capable of producing 4,000 tons of fish annually. 

This initiative is part of the broader Senegal Natural Resources Management Project (SENRM), supported by a US$100 million World Bank investment from 2022 to 2028. 

Pape Nansa Kéita, who coordinates the fisheries component within the SENRM’s management unit, shared that the aquaculture hub will feature state-of-the-art facilities designed to energise fish farming in Kolda. 

The hub’s facilities will bolster several stages of the fish farming value chain, including advanced hatching processes for tilapia and catfish, pre-growing and growing units, and a dedicated incubation centre to support aquaculture skills development. 

While the exact investment figures for this project remain undisclosed, Kolda has already received a 4.1 billion CFA francs (US$6.8 million) allocation under the SENRM program as of June.

This new hub is part of Senegal’s broader ambitions to elevate local aquaculture production to 68,000 tons by 2032, up from the current levels of around 1,600 tons. 

As a key element in Senegal’s aquaculture development roadmap, the project aims to align the sector with national growth targets while promoting sustainable fish production. 

According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), total fish production in Senegal is projected to reach 500,000 tons in 2023.

US$30M aquaculture park in the works 

In parallel, Senegal is accelerating its aquaculture initiatives with the recent announcement of an 18 billion CFA francs (US$30 million) investment in an industrial aquaculture park in the Saint-Louis region. 

The project, led by the China National Fisheries and Aquaculture (CNFA), was unveiled by the National Aquaculture Agency (ANA) on September 7, 2024, and marks a significant milestone in the country’s diversified fish production strategy. 

The announcement follows the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, during which ANA also formalised a partnership with the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) to foster marine aquaculture development and support large-scale infrastructure projects. 

This Saint-Louis park is projected to raise aquaculture output substantially, helping Senegal achieve its target of 68,000 tons by 2032, and cementing its status as a leading fish producer in West Africa.

These advancements come as Senegal’s fisheries sector continues its robust expansion. 

According to a report by the Global Agricultural Information Network from the USDA, the fisheries sector contributes 3.2% to Senegal’s gross domestic product (GDP), accounts for 10.2% of exports, generated US$400 million in value in 2021, and employs more than 600,000 people. 

By fostering aquaculture, Senegal aims to sustainably meet the rising demand for seafood while alleviating the strain on its natural fish stocks.

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