In Ouagadougou, stakeholders in Burkina Faso’s aquaculture industry have endorsed a series of strategic documents aimed at long-term development of the sector. Finalized on June 8, these documents include a sectoral diagnostic, an investment pathway, and an operational guide designed to guide both public policies and private investments in aquaculture.
This initiative aligns with the Sahel RESILAND regional program, which focuses on strengthening the resilience of Sahelian landscapes and their dependent communities. The program prioritizes sustainable land and water resource management, ecosystem restoration, and economic diversification in rural areas, with the ultimate goal of creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
A cornerstone of this framework is the knowledge pillar, which aims to inform public decisions, structure future interventions, and promote locally adapted solutions. Within this context, the Africa Sustainable Aquaculture initiative—covering Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad—has conducted in-depth national assessments and developed coherent investment trajectories to drive sustainable growth in the aquaculture sector.
The collaborative efforts have produced an updated overview of Burkina Faso’s aquaculture potential, highlighting both opportunities and structural challenges. They have also resulted in an investment pathway that identifies strategic priorities, funding needs, and implementation mechanisms, alongside a guide to support public and private project leaders in their initiatives.
Presiding over the meeting, Issiaka Zouri, Study Officer at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Animal and Fisheries Resources, praised the contributions of all participants. He emphasized the alignment of this approach with national ambitions to expand animal and fishery production, particularly within the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive.
Zouri highlighted Burkina Faso’s significant water resources and untapped fishery potential. He noted that implementing these strategic directions will help formalize the sector, boost domestic fish production, enhance food and nutrition security, and unlock new economic opportunities for youth and women.
