© FAO
During the launch event at a cluster of catfish farms in the southern city of Ijebu Ode, which brought together key partners and stakeholders from across the aquaculture value chain, Koffy Dominique Kouacou, FAO Representative ad interim to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stressed the importance of financial access in transforming aquaculture into a more productive and resilient sector.
“Nigeria needs 3.2 million metric tonnes of fish annually, yet current production stands at only 1.2 million tonnes. This gap not only underscores the need for increased local production but also highlights the crucial role of financial inclusion and capacity-building in achieving food and nutrition security,” he said in a press release.
FISH4ACP reflects a strong commitment to fostering sustainable aquaculture development in Nigeria, he added. It includes a strategy to provide credit to farmers through selected financial partners, expand technical support, collect implementation data, develop viable business models, and potentially establish a joint capacity-building mechanism, with FISH4ACP among the funding partners.
As a result of these efforts, about 40 farmers have successfully accessed about USD 105,000 (€91,200) from institutions such as the Bank of Industry and First City Monument Bank, with plans under way to broaden the programme’s reach.
Wellinton O. Omorogbon, director of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, urged for strategic partnerships and innovation to identify and implement solutions that will empower fish farmers and ensure sustainable practices that protect the ecosystem. “We must explore new financing models, leverage public-private partnerships, and harness the potential of technology to create a more resilient fisheries and aquaculture sector,” he added.
Hugh Briggs, programme manager for Agriculture at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, noted the EU’s continued support for inclusive and sustainable value chain development. “Scaling up fish farming requires more than production - it requires systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and financially viable. Through FISH4ACP, we are seeing how targeted support, especially for small-scale producers, can help unlock aquaculture’s full potential as a source of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience.”
Markus Wagner, country director at GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, commended partners for the milestone and reaffirmed Germany’s dedication to supporting sustainable aquaculture through integrated development approaches. “Beyond credit, this launch is about farmers gaining control over their future, communities building resilience and partnerships driving real impact,” he concluded.
FISH4ACP interventions to enhance sustainable production in five catfish clusters across Nigeria include data-driven farm management training, improved financial literacy and business planning for cluster managers. Farmers are also benefiting from access to finance via the GIZ partnership, a new digital record-keeping platform for traceability, and a recently established water quality testing laboratory.
In addition, the introduction of sustainable feed solutions such as the use of black soldier fly larvae, is helping farmers reduce input costs and adopt environmentally friendly practices.
FISH4ACP is an initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, implemented by FAO and funded by the EU and Germany’s development ministry.
