Record attendance for African aquaculture conference
A record-breaking number of people attended the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Conference (WA25) that took place in Uganda last month, its organiser, the World Aquaculture Society (WAS), has said.
WA25 Uganda, held at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo-Kampala from June 24-27, attracted more than 1,800 attendees from 79 countries worldwide, with a majority from Africa.
There was also a record number of fish farming micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their representative associations participating.
Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and themed “Aquaculture on the Rise”, the event emphasised how partnerships in education, science, technological advancement, and business development continue to support the rapidly growing aquaculture sector on the continent.
Second global event
WA25 Uganda was the second time a WAS global event has been held on African soil, following the successful World Aquaculture Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2017. Since then, WAS has organised the annual Aquaculture Africa Conferences (AFRAQs) in Egypt in 2022, Zambia in 2023, and Tunisia in 2024, with plans to continue this annual tradition in other identified countries.
Guest of honour at WA25 was Uganda’s vice president, Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, who was joined by other senior state dignitaries from Uganda, as well as high-level guests from development partners, including the African Union (AU), East African Community (EAC), European Union (EU), German development agency GIZ, World Bank, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, and others. The global WAS president, Dr David Cline, and the African Chapter president, Foluke Areola, also attended the event.
The conference’s scientific and technical programme featured 61 sessions, more than 500 abstracts, 99 posters, four training workshops, and various side and parallel meetings.
“It was encouraging to see the presence of several developmental organisations that participated in previous AFRAQs,” the WAS said in a press release.
“Development partners have been a crucial source of technical assistance for WAS conferences in Africa since 2022, providing diverse expertise, capacity-building resources, financial support, and knowledge-sharing platforms. They also play a key role in strengthening partnerships and fostering international cooperation, enhancing the overall impact and effectiveness of WAS conferences.”
New platforms
The event also marked the launch of new platforms such as the network on Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) and the Network for African Women Leaders in Aquaculture Research and Development (NOWLA). The African Union also chose the conference to launch its strategic plan for the Aquaculture Network for Africa (ANAF), a pan-African platform dedicated to promoting sustainable aquaculture development across the continent.
Over 200 industry players and professionals from Uganda, Africa, and around the world attended WA25 Uganda. Among the major industry players present was aquafeed producer Aller Aqua, the corporate sponsor for the WAS African Chapter, along with various aquafeed companies, fish producers, equipment suppliers, and consulting firms.
The improved Students Programme at WA25 Uganda ensured that nearly 150 students attended the event, primarily from Africa.
An international trade show, featuring 77 exhibition booths from over 20 countries, allowed companies and developmental organisations to showcase their products and innovations, build connections, and gain insights into the African aquaculture market.
The next World Conference in Africa is scheduled for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 1-4 December 2026. This is followed by World Aquaculture Ghana 2027, scheduled for late November 2027 in Accra, Ghana.
