Aquaculture Consortium Launches Youth-Led Drive to Bridge 450,000-Tonne Fish Deficit in Kenya

KISUMU, KENYA – In a strategic move to transform Kenya into a regional fisheries powerhouse, The Aquaculture Consortium (TAC) has officially launched a series of youth-led initiatives aimed at tackling the country’s staggering 450,000-metric-tonne annual fish deficit.

Unveiled during the high-level “From Fish Deficit to Aquaculture Powerhouse” conference in Kisumu, the drive seeks to tap into an industry with an estimated potential of $1 billion (Sh131 billion). The initiative is a collaborative effort between TAC and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), signaling a shift toward technology-driven and inclusive fish farming.

Empowering the Next Generation

At the heart of this drive are three flagship programs designed to attract demographic groups traditionally underrepresented in the sector:

• Young Fish Kenya: A platform targeting students and out-of-school youth to introduce them to the commercial viability of aquaculture.

• Girls in Aquaculture Kenya: A gender-inclusive program providing mentorship and linking Kenyan girls with experts and practitioners from Norway.

• AgriGrowth/eSamakiDigital Platform: A digital ecosystem leveraging artificial intelligence and data to bridge the information gap and provide small-scale farmers with access to financing and technical advice.

Speaking at the launch, TAC Chief Executive Officer Felix Osok emphasized that the sector’s current fragmentation is a major bottleneck.

“Our focus is to move Kenya from a fish deficit to a fish powerhouse on the continent,” Osok stated. “The sector remains constrained by underinvestment and limited access to technology, particularly among small-scale farmers who contribute about 80% of the country’s fish supply. We want to draw lessons from Norway, a global leader that has turned fishing into a top GDP contributor.”

Bridging the Supply Gap

Despite Kenya’s vast water resources, fish production remains significantly below demand. In 2024, the country produced 168,000 metric tonnes of fish valued at Sh39.6 billion. However, this output fails to meet the domestic demand, leading to a reliance on imports.

To address this, the government is implementing structural reforms. In a speech delivered on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Betsy Njagi, the government reiterated its commitment to the Revised 2025 Fisheries Policy.

Key government interventions include:

• Investment: Over Sh30 billion has been approved to unlock the sector’s potential.

• De-risking: The promotion of insurance products specifically for aquaculture to protect farmers against climate risks and losses.

• Education: Introducing maritime technology into the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) starting at Grade 10 to expose students to the blue economy early.

Science and Industry Collaboration

The conference also highlighted the role of research, with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) participating as a key technical partner. Dr. Safina Musa from KMFRI noted that the initiatives are anchored on sustainable aquaculture systems, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of environmental health.

Stakeholders, including the Lake Victoria Aquaculture Association, called for stronger collaboration between the private sector and academia to ensure that the 450,000-tonne gap is filled by locally produced, high-quality fish rather than imports.

As these youth-led initiatives take root, the goal is clear: to increase the fisheries sector’s contribution to the national GDP from the current 0.7% to at least 1% by 2027, creating thousands of jobs and ensuring food security for the nation.

Aquaculture Consortium Launches Youth-Led Drive to Bridge 450,000-Tonne Fish Deficit in Kenya