Burkina Faso advances aquaculture sector for food security

In Ouagadougou, key stakeholders in Burkina Faso’s aquaculture sector have finalized and announced a set of strategic frameworks designed to guide the sustainable growth of the industry. Approved on June 8, these documents include sector diagnostics, an investment roadmap, and an operational guide, all intended to steer public policy and private investments toward a more structured aquaculture future.

The initiative aligns with the regional Sahel RESILAND program, which focuses on strengthening the resilience of Sahelian landscapes and the communities dependent on them. Its core objectives include sustainable land and water resource management, ecosystem restoration, and economic diversification in rural areas. Ultimately, the program aims to create jobs and improve livelihoods across the region.

A critical component of this strategy is knowledge-sharing, which informs policy decisions, shapes future interventions, and promotes locally adapted solutions. This is where the Africa Sustainable Aquaculture initiative comes into play, supporting multiple Sahelian countries—including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad—in developing in-depth national assessments and investment pathways for sustainable aquaculture development.

The collaborative efforts have produced an updated assessment of Burkina Faso’s aquaculture sector, revealing both its untapped potential and underlying structural challenges. These insights have led to the creation of an investment roadmap that identifies strategic priorities, funding needs, and implementation mechanisms, along with a practical guide to assist public and private project leaders in navigating their initiatives.

During the meeting, Issiaka Zouri, Study Officer at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Animal and Fisheries Resources, commended the collective contributions that made these achievements possible. He emphasized how this initiative complements Burkina Faso’s broader goals for animal and fisheries production, particularly through initiatives like the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive.

Zouri highlighted Burkina Faso’s significant water resources and largely untapped fishery potential as key assets. He expressed confidence that implementing these frameworks will further solidify the aquaculture sector, boost domestic fish production, enhance food and nutritional security, and unlock new economic opportunities for young people and women.