Africa's food future does not depend on land alone but also on its waters

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Turfena Marienga, a fish monger, separates freshwater shrimps from omena at Homa Bay Pier market on the shore of Lake Victoria, on July 14, 2022. [File, Standard]

Across Africa, demand for aquatic foods is increasing as the population grows. Yet, supply is struggling to keep pace.

This matters because aquatic foods are not a niche product in Africa. They are an important source of food, livelihoods and trade.

According to the latest edition of the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Mombasa, Kenya, aquatic animal foods provide 19 per cent of animal protein available across the continent, which is the second highest share globally compared to other regions.