Germany and EU take sponsorship top spot at African aqua conference
The German Society for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, or GIZ) has become gold sponsor of the joint World Aquaculture Tanzania 2026 (WA26T) and Annual Aquaculture Africa Conference (AFRAQ26) event due to be held in Dar es Salaam in December, organisers have announced.
The sponsorship is supported by three projects implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union.
These projects are the Global Programme Sustainable Aquatic Food (GP SAF), ProsperAzul in Mozambique, and STAWIBLUU in Tanzania, which are all designed to strengthen sustainable aquatic food systems and blue economies while creating economic opportunities and protecting aquatic and coastal ecosystems.
Sustainability and finance
GP SAF works to make fisheries and aquaculture more sustainable and inclusive, strengthening small-scale producers and value chains while promoting sustainable management of aquatic resources.
ProsperAzul combines investment and access to finance with sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chains and the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems.
STAWIBLUU brings together public and private investors and supports selected mariculture value chains including seaweed, sea cucumbers, mud crabs, and artemia.
Unlocking potential
GIZ staff from Ghana’s Employment and Skills for Development in Africa programme and Nigeria’s Global Programme Agricultural Finance will also take part in the conference and exposition, which is being held at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC). Their work centres on creating employment and business opportunities, and improving access to finance for emerging producers and enterprises.
As part of its engagement, GIZ will also host a dedicated side event bringing together experts and partners to discuss how these different dimensions can work together to unlock the potential of Africa’s aquaculture sector. The session will provide a platform for exchange on practical approaches, experiences and opportunities for collaboration.
Resilient livelihoods
“AFRAQ26 is an excellent opportunity to bring together different stakeholders and perspectives on how Africa’s aquatic resources can contribute to food security, sustainable businesses and resilient livelihoods,” said Pierre Guillibert, head of GIZ global programme “Sustainable Aquatic Food”.
“Our work shows that successful transformation requires sustainable production, strong value chains, investment, innovation and access to finance to go hand in hand.”
Nearly 2,000 participants are expected at WA26T / AFRAQ26, which runs from December 1-4. More information can be found here.
