Investing in Blue Foods 2026

Economic, social and environmental impacts The ambition of doubling of blue food production, alongside improving value-chain efficiencies, could bring substantial benefits to economies, jobs and the environment: Boost to GDP: It could raise the blue foods sector’s GDP contribution to $48 billion by 2050, contributing an additional $17 billion to GDP , based on capacity growth projections by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.25 These gains would stem not only from greater production but also from stronger domestic supply chains, reduced losses and expanded regional trade. Job creation: This blue foods ambition could create about 3.3 million new jobs in Africa,26 particularly in aquaculture, processing, logistics and input supply. Women and young people would be major beneficiaries. Women already comprise ~60%27 of the blue foods post-harvest workforce, but they are constrained by limited access to training and low value-add processing which drives low returns. Meanwhile, ~60% of Africa’s population is under 25 years old, providing a future-ready workforce for the industry.28 Sustainability: Greater diversification of protein sources through blue foods could ease pressure on land-based agriculture, reduce Africa’s agricultural emissions and strengthen food- system resilience. For example, beef production across large parts of Africa caused an estimated 215,000 hectares of deforestation per year between 2005 and 201329. Blue foods offer an opportunity for Africa to complement its terrestrial protein production with sustainable aquatic foods that support better nutrition, climate and biodiversity outcomes. Potential socio-economic impacts of increase in blue foods production FIGURE 3 202224 203226 2050 (status quo)31 2050 (ambition)48Doubling blue foods production could boost GDP and create new jobs Africa’s “blue foods ambition” for 2050: Double production to 26.2 Mt Double GDP to $48 billion By 2050, status quo growth yields 13.6 million jobs (+1.3 million vs. today) “Blue foods ambition” yields 16.9 million jobs (+4.6 million vs. today) Creating an additional 3.3 million jobs vs. status quoBased on current FAO projections, blue foods production in Africa will grow at 1% CAGR from 2022-2032, reaching $31 billion GDP by 2050 +3.3 million additional jobs vs. status quoEconomic: $17 billion increase in GDP by 2050 vs. current FAO projectionsSocial: 3.3 million additional jobs by 2050 vs. status quoBlue foods GDP in Africa ($ billion)+1%+17 bn Note: For methodologies and calculations, see: Appendix A2 (Economic data) and Appendix A3 (Social data). Sources: FAO, World Bank, Statista, BCG analysis.30 Shifting protein supply towards blue foods would strengthen climate and biodiversity outcomes, while improving the resilience of Africa’s food systems. Investing in Blue Foods: Innovation and Partnerships for Impact 9