Innovation in inputs Overcoming inefficiencies in seed, feed and health systems At the input stage, producers face high costs, low yields and inefficient systems caused by outdated feed formulations, poor seed quality and limited health management. In Africa, feed accounts for up to 70%48 of aquaculture costs, while – as described above – low-quality fingerlings and long grow-out cycles reduce efficiency. Disease outbreaks from unregulated seed and poor handling can devastate entire harvests. Emerging solutions are tackling these issues through better genetics, improved feed and stronger biosecurity (see Case study 1).4.2 Innovators are already rethinking key challenges – with potential applications for Africa While Africa’s blue food systems face persistent barriers – including costly inputs, limited infrastructure and fragmented markets – there is a growing body of practical solutions proving that these challenges can be overcome. Around the world, innovators are rethinking how fish are bred and fed, how farms are managed, how products are processed and preserved, and how waste is turned into value. These approaches are not just abstract technologies: some are already demonstrating tangible gains in productivity, resilience and inclusivity, with strong potential for adaptation in African contexts. CASE STUDY 1 Product innovation for inputs 1 Methane-fermented protein feed by Calysta (China)49 Global aquaculture depends heavily on fishmeal and soy, both environmentally intensive. Calysta’s FeedKind uses methane fermentation to produce single-cell protein without land or freshwater. Current production, which totals 20,000 tonnes per year, uses 77-98% less water and virtually no land compared with traditional proteins. 2 Black soldier fly larvae and circular bio-inputs by Agrimercarb (Ghana)50,51 Ghana’s aquaculture industry faces high feed costs and dependence on imported fishmeal, while vast quantities of organic waste remain underutilized. Agrimercarb converts local organic waste into high-quality animal and aquafeed in a process using black soldier fly larvae (BSFL),52 while producing biochar,53 organic fertilizer and ecofuel briquettes54 from by-products. Through its “Yibiboa I” project, the company engages rural women in waste collection and decentralized BSF rearing, integrating frass (insect compost) into crop systems to close nutrient loops. This model reduces feed cost pressures, creates new circular revenue streams and empowers communities – demonstrating how insect-based feed innovation can deliver both environmental and socioeconomic impacts in Ghana. In Africa, feed accounts for up to 70% of aquaculture costs. Innovation in production Improving productivity and sustainability through better feeding, water quality and on-farm infrastructure Production is where efficiency gains in blue foods are won or lost. Farms globally face pressure to reduce waste, improve survival rates and operate sustainably while managing high input costs. Low feed conversion, poor water quality and labour-intensive methods remain key bottlenecks, especially in smallholder systems. Production innovations are addressing these challenges through precision feeding, real-time monitoring and scalable infrastructure that lower costs, reduce losses and boost yields. These technologies, tested from Norway to Indonesia, can be adapted to Africa’s aquaculture realities (see Case study 2). Low feed conversion, poor water quality and labour-intensive methods remain key bottlenecks, especially in smallholder systems. Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact 18

Investing in Blue Foods 2026