In Ouagadougou, stakeholders in Burkina Faso’s aquaculture sector recently endorsed a set of strategic documents designed to guide the industry’s sustainable development. The validation, announced on June 8, includes a sectoral diagnosis, an investment pathway, and an operational guide—key tools for shaping public policies and private investments in fish farming.
This initiative aligns with the Sahel RESILAND regional program, which focuses on strengthening the resilience of Sahelian landscapes and the communities dependent on them. The program prioritizes sustainable land and water resource management, ecosystem restoration, and economic diversification in rural areas, ultimately aiming to create jobs and improve living standards.
A critical component of this framework is knowledge-sharing, which informs policy decisions, shapes interventions, and promotes locally adapted solutions. The Africa Sustainable Aquaculture initiative, active across several Sahelian countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad, plays a pivotal role in conducting in-depth national assessments and defining coherent investment trajectories for sustainable aquaculture growth.
The collaborative efforts have produced an updated snapshot of Burkina Faso’s aquaculture sector, highlighting both its untapped potential and structural challenges. The findings have led to the creation of an investment pathway that identifies key priorities, funding needs, and implementation mechanisms, alongside a practical guide to support public and private project leaders in their initiatives.
During the unveiling event, Issiaka Zouri, Study Officer at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Animal and Fisheries Resources, commended the contributions of all participants. He emphasized how this initiative aligns with national goals for livestock and fisheries production, particularly within the framework of the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive.
Zouri highlighted Burkina Faso’s significant water resources and underutilized fisheries potential as major assets for the country. He expressed confidence that implementing these strategic orientations will further structure the sector, boost domestic fish production, enhance food and nutritional security, and unlock new economic opportunities for young people and women.
