Along the Cameroonian coast and in its south-western regions, fish ponds have become more than production sites. They are now thriving hubs of opportunity, innovation, and economic transformation. This success is being driven by the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP), financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) with 84 million euros, and implemented by Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries.
At the heart of this transformation lies a superior strain of African catfish (clarias), developed by Cameroon’s Agricultural Research Institute for Development. The strain grows faster, has lower fat content, and shows higher survival rates than earlier varieties. Fry survival has improved from 60 percent to as high as 85 percent, while female broodstock can now produce up to 20,000 fry per cycle.
This innovation has translated into tangible results. Since October 2024, over 115,000 fry have been produced and sold by 50 pilot hatcheries. A total of 280 fish farmers, including women and youth, have received training in aquaculture techniques, hatchery management, and business skills. By 2027, Cameroon expects to add 10,000 tons of fish to its annual national production, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening food security.
For Kenya, which faces an annual fish deficit of more than 200,000 metric tonnes, Cameroon’s model offers important lessons:
- Investment in Research and Genetics – The success of Cameroon’s project rests on research-driven broodstock development. Kenya’s aquaculture sector could benefit from similar investment in local institutions to produce high-yield strains of catfish and tilapia.
- Integrated Value Chain Development – Cameroon has gone beyond broodstock distribution. The project strengthens every link in the chain: hatcheries, feed production, training, market access, and even infrastructure for fish traders. Kenya’s aquaculture efforts could be more impactful if they adopted this ecosystem approach.
- Youth and Women Inclusion – By targeting women and young farmers, the project has created new income opportunities. Kenya could scale similar initiatives to address unemployment and boost rural resilience.
- Market-Oriented Production – Cameroon’s project links farmers directly with growing urban demand. Kenyan farmers often face post-harvest losses and poor market linkages. Structured market support, including cold storage and hygienic facilities, would make fish farming more profitable.
- Strong Monitoring and Traceability Systems – Cameroon uses digital tools and quarterly reports to track production and performance. Kenya could adopt similar systems to ensure transparency and efficiency in aquaculture development.
As one Cameroonian fish farmer, Fanta Njifondjou Oumarou, explained: “The support given by the Project is encouraging us to go further. We have real motivation to continue what we have started. Today, I feel better equipped to make a profit from fish farming.”
The Cameroonian experience shows that aquaculture can be more than a livelihood project. With research, financing, and structured market linkages, it becomes a driver of food security, rural transformation, and economic empowerment.
As Kenya seeks to reduce fish imports and strengthen the Blue Economy, Cameroon’s story offers a practical blueprint. The challenge lies in adapting these lessons to Kenyan conditions and scaling them sustainably.
