Investing in Blue Foods 2026

–Public investment in cold chains, rural transport and infrastructure can reduce spoilage and expand markets –Extension services and seed or feed distribution programmes can improve access to inputs and skills. –Governments can build competitiveness through tax incentives, procurement schemes and market facilitation that strengthen local value chains. –Training can be embedded into all public programmes, integrating aquaculture education within hatchery, feed or extension initiatives so that farmers receive hands-on guidance. –Local research institutions and regional authorities can adapt these programmes to be gender- responsive and tailored to smallholder realities. 2 Private sector: driving investment and operational excellence –The private sector brings efficiency and scale through logistics, cold chain and seaport operations that cut post-harvest losses and improve traceability. –Large farms and anchor firms act as hubs for market access and innovation, attracting processors, service providers and financiers. –Downstream players, including wholesalers, retailers and supermarkets, shape consumer demand for responsibly sourced products, promote transparency and reward regenerative, low-impact production. –Financial institutions can design products aligned with aquaculture cycles, using patient capital, inventory-backed lending and risk-sharing tools to expand micro, small and medium enterprise participation. Given harvest periods of 9-12 months, repayment schedules can be structured for flexibility and aquaculture-specific assets (e.g. cages) can serve as collateral. –Companies across the value chain can embed training within their services, using dealer networks, apprenticeships and field demonstrations to strengthen farm management and adoption of best practices.3 Development partners and concessional funders: catalysing innovation and coordination –Civil society and development partners can pilot new solutions, de-risk early investments and align funding across the ecosystem. By building capacity for women, youth, persons with disabilities and migrants they create proof points that private investors can scale up. –Concessional funders – including foundations, multilaterals and bilaterals – can provide concessional or grant capital to strengthen policy frameworks, public capacity and shared infrastructure. –Alignment between commercial investors, concessional finance and governments ensures that finance spans the entire development cycle, from early pilots to long-term expansion. –Moving beyond isolated grants to partnerships that embed empowerment and training within viable business models will enable pilots to scale up sustainably. 4 Local communities: anchoring implementation and inclusion –Fishing and aquaculture cooperatives form the backbone of Africa’s blue food systems. They provide labour, sustain supply chains and bring vital local knowledge. –Community cooperatives help enforce local regulations on gear use, seasonal bans and carrying capacity, working with authorities to protect ecosystems. –Cooperatives are key channels for inclusion, enabling participation by women, youth, persons with disabilities, migrants and smallholders. –By engaging directly with community cooperatives, governments and development partners can extend training, scale up innovation and build resilience in ways that are equitable and grounded in community ownership. Delivering blue foods at scale in Africa will require collaboration across government, private sector, development partners and local communities. Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact 24