The aquaculture sector in Burkina Faso has taken a significant step forward with the official endorsement of strategic documents designed to provide long-term guidance for the industry. In Ouagadougou, stakeholders finalized and unveiled these key frameworks—including sector diagnostics, investment pathways, and operational guidelines—tailored to shape both public policy and private investments in fish farming.
This initiative aligns with the Sahel RESILAND program, a regional effort focused on strengthening the resilience of Sahelian landscapes and the communities that rely on them. By prioritizing sustainable land and water management, ecosystem restoration, and economic diversification in rural areas, the program aims to create jobs and improve living conditions for local populations.
A critical component of this strategy is the knowledge pillar, which seeks to inform policy decisions, guide future interventions, and tailor solutions to local realities. The Africa Sustainable Aquaculture initiative plays a central role in this effort, covering multiple Sahelian countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad. Its mission is to conduct in-depth national assessments and define coherent investment pathways to promote sustainable aquaculture development.
The collaborative work has yielded an updated snapshot of Burkina Faso’s aquaculture sector, revealing both its untapped potential and structural challenges. The findings have also resulted in a prioritized investment roadmap, outlining key strategic areas, funding needs, and implementation mechanisms, alongside a practical guide to support public and private project leaders in their initiatives.
Issiaka Zouri, a study specialist at the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Animal and Fisheries Resources, led the meeting and commended the collective efforts behind these outcomes. He highlighted how this approach aligns with national goals for livestock and fisheries production, particularly through the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive. According to Zouri, Burkina Faso holds substantial advantages, including significant water resources and underutilized fisheries potential. Implementing the recommendations from these documents is expected to further structure the sector, increase domestic fish production, enhance food and nutrition security, and unlock new economic opportunities for youth and women.
