Senegal aquaculture sector development

Senegal is expanding its aquaculture sector to bolster food sovereignty and employment. During the first International Aquaculture Fair in Dakar, officials highlighted the sector's potential, noting that Africa currently accounts for less than 3% of global aquaculture production despite its natural resources. Spain participated in the event as the guest of honor, with Spanish private sector interests looking toward direct investment in the region.

Data from the National Agency for Aquaculture (ANA) indicates that production rose by 45% during 2024 and 2025. In 2024, the country produced 2,074 tonnes of aquaculture products across 342 supervised farms, supporting 3,045 direct jobs. This growth is attributed to the establishment of credit lines for promoters, specialized training programs, improved access to feed and fingerlings, and the development of new sector regulations.

In October 2026, during a high-level meeting in Dakar organized by RAFAQUA and RAFISMER under the auspices of ATLAFCO, officials called for a strategic transition from traditional capture fisheries to fish farming. Baba Ndiaye, Chief of Staff to Senegal’s Minister of Fisheries and the Maritime Economy, emphasized that aquaculture is a vital tool for addressing unemployment and strengthening food security across Africa, particularly as the continent faces declining fish catches and rapid population growth. ATLAFCO Executive Secretary Taoufik El Ktiri noted that discussions focused on developing a sector that is “sustainable, competitive, profitable, and equitable” through cooperation and knowledge-sharing among member states.