Aquaculture on the Rise: World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Highlights

Representing our team on the ground, Mike Ouya and Niels Kreijger joined stakeholders from across the continent and beyond for a high-energy week of learning, dialogue, and connection at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Uganda.

“World Aquaculture Safari (WAS) was a wonderful opportunity to connect and reconnect with industry players and old friends all in pursuit of our shared goal: regional aquaculture development,” noted Mike Ouya, Technical Project Manager, Lattice.

One clear takeaway? Aquaculture in Africa is evolving and quickly. From the rise of regional mid-scale farms to stronger cross-border collaboration, the energy around the sector was undeniable. But growth is not without its challenges. Feed costs remain a major bottleneck, and the need for locally sourced ingredients and smarter feed technologies was a recurring theme.

Innovations such as ecosystem-enhancing feed formulations which improve pond productivity and reduce reliance on manufactured feed were particularly promising. So too was the shift in focus: from producing fish to running aquaculture as a viable business, especially for smallholders.

“It’s no longer just about how to grow fish effectively. It’s about how to run a viable, profitable enterprise. This shift toward financial sustainability is critical for long-term impact and livelihoods,” remarked Niels Kreijger, Emerging Markets Advisor, Larive International.

Niels Kreijger, Emerging Markets Advisor,Larive International presenting on Samaki Poa project and the HowToDoAquaculture platform

Beyond the technical, the World Aquaculture Safari (WAS) reinforced growing priorities across the region:

• Digitized learning
• Vocational skills
• Scalable knowledge sharing

These themes directly align with our work on HowToDo Aquaculture which aims to make practical aquaculture training more accessible and impactful across Africa.

Delegates in attendance at the World Aquaculture Safari (WAS) in Uganda

This year’s World Aquaculture Safari wasn’t just a conference it was a convergence of ideas, partnerships, and shared purpose. And for us, it reaffirmed why we’re here: building tools, developing relevant interventions, platforms, and collaborations that enhance aquaculture's growth inclusively and sustainably.

If you’re working in aquaculture or care about building resilient food systems in Africa, we’d love to connect.

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