Bridget Njenga Transforming African Aquaculture with Innovation and Sustainability – Bridget Njenga, the CEO and Co-Founder of Acquaden, is leading a movement to transform aquaculture in Africa. With a background in Agribusiness Management and Trade, her journey into fish farming was not just a career choice but a mission fueled by a deep understanding of the industry’s struggles.
During her early days working at a tilapia farm, Bridget saw the harsh realities that small-scale farmers face—poor access to high-quality seed stock, expensive fish feed, and limited training opportunities. Instead of accepting these challenges as the norm, she co-founded Acquaden to bridge the gap, offering sustainable solutions that empower farmers and promote responsible aquaculture practices.
From a Simple Experiment to a Lifelong Passion
Bridget’s passion for aquaculture took root in an unexpected way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she began rearing catfish and tilapia fingerlings, initially as a small-scale project. What started as an experiment quickly grew into a revelation—many farmers were struggling to access quality fingerlings and affordable feed, making it difficult for them to run profitable businesses.
Realizing the scale of this problem, Bridget decided to take action. She co-founded Acquaden, a company dedicated to designing hatcheries, producing high-quality fingerlings, and providing training to farmers. But Acquaden’s mission extends beyond just supplying fish—it is about equipping farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. Recognizing the high cost of traditional feed, Bridget and her team began exploring natural, locally available alternatives like azolla and seaweed, helping farmers cut costs without compromising on quality.
Empowering Farmers, Strengthening Communities
For Bridget, aquaculture is not just an industry—it is a vehicle for economic empowerment and food security. Overfishing and declining wild fish stocks have put immense pressure on African communities that rely on seafood for their livelihoods. Small-scale fish farming presents a sustainable solution, but without the right resources and guidance, many farmers struggle to make it work.
Acquaden has changed that narrative for hundreds of farmers, including Mwende, a fish farmer from Masinga, Machakos. Before joining Acquaden’s training program, Mwende struggled to keep her tilapia farm afloat. With support from Bridget’s team, she gained access to high-quality fingerlings and learned effective fish farming techniques. Today, her farm is one of the top tilapia suppliers in the region. Mwende has since expanded her operations into circular farming, using nutrient-rich pond water to irrigate her tomato crops, demonstrating how aquaculture can drive both agricultural success and environmental sustainability.
Innovating for a More Sustainable Future
Bridget believes that the key to making aquaculture both profitable and sustainable lies in innovation. Acquaden is leading the charge with practical, low-cost solutions that help farmers boost their productivity while reducing environmental impact:
- Alternative Feeds – Traditional fishmeal is expensive and environmentally taxing. Acquaden is promoting the use of azolla, seaweed, and insect-based feeds, providing a sustainable, affordable alternative.
- Renewable Energy – Energy costs are a major burden for fish farmers. Acquaden is helping them transition to solar-powered hatcheries, reducing expenses and making farming more efficient.
- Circular Aquaculture – Instead of letting nutrient-rich pond water go to waste, Acquaden encourages, farmers to use it for crop irrigation, maximizing resource efficiency.
- Digital Aquaculture Tools – Farmers can now monitor water quality and feeding schedules using simple sensor technology, improving fish health and increasing yields.
Introducing these cost-effective, practical solutions, Acquaden is reshaping the way fish farming is done across Africa.
Building Stronger Partnerships for Impact
Bridget understands that long-term change cannot happen in isolation. That’s why Acquaden actively collaborates with farmers, researchers, policymakers, and seafood buyers to strengthen the aquaculture industry.
By working with research institutions, Acquaden is improving hatchery techniques and developing better farming methods.
By partnering with market distributors, they are ensuring that farmers have reliable buyers and receive fair prices for their fish.
Through training programs, they equip small-scale farmers with the technical skills needed to manage successful fish farms.
This ecosystem approach ensures that everyone—from small-scale fish farmers to large seafood markets—benefits from a thriving, well-structured aquaculture sector.
Tackling Key Challenges in Aquaculture
Despite its vast potential, fish farming in Africa still faces major hurdles. Bridget and her team at Acquaden are tackling these challenges head-on:
- High Feed Costs – Acquaden is promoting natural, locally available feed alternatives to reduce reliance on expensive, imported fish feed.
- Limited Access to Quality Fingerlings – Acquaden is improving hatchery technology to ensure consistent, high-quality seed stockñ for farmers.
- Expensive Energy Costs – Through solar-powered hatcheries, farmers can cut operational expenses while reducing their carbon footprint.
- Poor Market Access – Acquaden is creating direct linkages between farmers and buyers, ensuring stable demand and fair pricing.
By removing these barriers, Acquaden is making aquaculture more accessible, profitable, and sustainable for small-scale farmers.
Sustainability: The Heart of the Business
For Bridget, sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. She firmly believes that fish farming can be both profitable and environmentally responsible. Through circular farming systems, renewable energy, and alternative feed sources, Acquaden is proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
One of Acquaden’s key sustainability strategies is recycling fish farm waste. Instead of discarding nutrient-rich pond water, farmers repurpose it for irrigation, improving crop yields while conserving water. This integrated approach ensures that fish farming has a minimal ecological footprint while maximizing benefits for farmers.
Championing Women and Youth in Aquaculture
Bridget is deeply committed to empowering women and young people in aquaculture. In many parts of Africa, women play a significant role in fish processing and trading but are often excluded from decision-making and technical training. Acquaden is breaking these barriers by:
– Providing mentorship programs and financial literacy training for women entrepreneurs in aquaculture.
– Encouraging youth participation by supporting young innovators in fish farming and sustainable feed production.
– Creating women-led aquaculture initiatives, giving them access to resources and business networks.
By fostering inclusivity, Acquaden is ensuring that more people—regardless of gender or age—can benefit from opportunities in the growing aquaculture industry.
Lessons from the Journey
Bridget’s journey has reinforced one key lesson: collaboration is essential for lasting impact. “No one can drive change alone,” she says. By working together—farmers, researchers, investors, and policymakers—Africa’s aquaculture sector can achieve its full potential.
Looking ahead, Bridget envisions a future where aquaculture is a pillar of food security, job creation, and environmental conservation in Africa. She hopes to see:
More women and youth actively engaged in fish farming.
Greater adoption of technology and sustainable practices in aquaculture.
Stronger regional collaboration to improve fish farming regulations and market access.
Advice for Aspiring Aquaculture Entrepreneurs
Bridget’s advice to those looking to enter the aquaculture industry is simple: Start where you are, keep learning, and stay resilient.
Fish farming comes with challenges, but with innovation, persistence, and collaboration, anyone can build a successful and impactful business.
Through her work with Acquaden, Bridget Njenga is not only transforming Africa’s aquaculture industry but also creating new opportunities for farmers. Her story is a powerful reminder that with vision, determination, and a commitment to sustainability, real change is possible.
Bridget Njenga Transforming African Aquaculture with Innovation and Sustainability
