Feeding a Nation, Empowering a People: Cameroon’s Blue Horizon _ On the banks of Cameroon’s rivers and across its bustling coastal markets, a quiet revolution is taking place. Fish farming — once seen as a small-scale survival activity — is being reimagined as the backbone of national food security and economic empowerment. By 2027, Cameroon plans to increase its fish production by 10,000 tons annually, thanks to a landmark initiative: the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP).
Backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with an impressive €84 million investment (around XAF 55 billion), this project is more than a development program; it’s a national strategy to reduce import dependency, empower local communities, and breathe new life into the blue economy.
Breeding a New Future
At the heart of this transformation are improved fish breeds. The African catfish (Clarias) and tilapia, both staples of local diets, are now available in strains that grow faster and survive better. Farmers report that these new breeds reach market size — 350 to 500 grams — in as little as five to six months, compared to the previous eight or nine.
Equally important, survival rates of fingerlings have surged from 60% to 80–85%, reducing losses and boosting farmers’ confidence. Each female fish is capable of producing up to 20,000 fry per cycle, with as many as three cycles per year — a breakthrough that promises to multiply yields dramatically.
Early Ripples of Progress
Since the project’s pilot launch in October 2024, 50 hatcheries across the country have been supplied with these improved strains. Already, over 115,000 fingerlings have been produced and sold, setting the stage for a strong start.
Training is another cornerstone. More than 280 farmers have participated in workshops covering hatchery management, floating cage aquaculture, feed production, and even small-business skills. These trainings are designed not just to improve productivity, but also to ensure farmers can run profitable, sustainable enterprises.
Meanwhile, critical infrastructure is being upgraded. Fish stations in Bamenda, Yaoundé, and Foumban are undergoing rehabilitation, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality fingerlings for years to come.
From Markets to Households: Empowering People
But the story is not only about ponds and hatcheries — it’s about people. Across Cameroon, fish farming is becoming a pathway for youth employment and women’s empowerment.
In markets like Deïdo and Dakar, women fish vendors are already benefiting from improved facilities: hygienic counters, access to cold storage, ice, and running water. These upgrades transform their daily working conditions, providing both dignity and safety.
For households, the benefits are tangible. With more fish available locally, families can look forward to healthier diets and reduced prices, while farmers and vendors alike see new income streams. In this way, aquaculture is becoming both a social equalizer and an engine of economic growth.
The National Picture: Closing a 500,000-Ton Gap
The scale of the challenge is immense. Cameroon currently produces around 230,000 tons of fish annually, but national demand exceeds that by half a million tons every year. Imports have long filled the gap, draining valuable foreign exchange and leaving the country vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
The government’s strategy, aligned with initiatives like PIISAH and programs from the National Bureau for Economic Innovation, sets a bold target: 600,000 tons of fish by 2027. That’s a 166% increase compared to 2024 levels — an audacious leap that could transform Cameroon into a regional aquaculture powerhouse.
A Blue Horizon Ahead
The AfDB-funded project is not simply about producing more fish. It is about building resilience, ensuring food sovereignty, and creating livelihoods in a time of global uncertainty. It is about transforming rivers, lakes, and ponds into engines of opportunity, while empowering the very communities that rely on them most.
As 2027 approaches, Cameroon’s aquaculture story will be one to watch. If the project succeeds, the country will not only close its fish deficit but also showcase how smart investment, innovation, and community empowerment can chart a sustainable course toward prosperity.
In Cameroon, the future of fish is no longer just in the water — it is in the hands of the people.
Feeding a Nation, Empowering a People: Cameroon’s Blue Horizon
