AIT Launches Major Initiative to Transform Aquaculture in Africa
1 March 2025
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has officially launched a landmark initiative aimed at transforming aquaculture development in Africa through cutting-edge science, capacity building, and policy innovation. The new project will be implemented by the Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) Program in close partnership with international development institutions, government agencies, and women-led networks across the African continent.
Building on AARM’s 45-year legacy in leading sustainable global aquaculture and its longstanding engagement in Asia and Africa, this multi-year project will address key bottlenecks in African aquaculture systems by evaluating improved genetic strains, strengthening biosecurity practices, enhancing inclusive value chains, and enabling data-driven decision-making.
“Our vision is to accelerate sustainable, resilient, and inclusive aquaculture development in Africa by drawing on AIT’s long-standing regional leadership in Asia and extending this influence through innovative south–south cooperation,” said Dr. Krishna R. Salin, Project Leader and Chair of the Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM) Program at AIT. “By building bridges between Asia and Africa, this initiative takes an important step in sharing proven expertise, strengthening regional collaboration, and empowering African partners to meet growing food and nutrition needs while expanding equitable livelihoods, especially for women and youth.”
The project will initially be implemented in Nigeria, with plans to expand across multiple African countries through regional collaborations, training programs, and pilot innovations. A dedicated Asia–Africa Aquaculture Centre hosted at AIT will serve as a hub for joint research, innovation exchange, and cross-continental learning.
The project will also support the training of African graduate students and researchers at AIT, strengthen institutional capacities in Africa, and contribute to informed policy formulation through robust field-based evidence for long-term aquaculture development.
Key partners in this initiative include FutureFish (UK), bringing extensive expertise in sustainable aquaculture strategies and risk assessment protocols; the University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia) contributing advanced genetics research and training; Premium Aquaculture Limited (PAL), Abeokuta and Sej Farms, Badagry pioneering the dissemination of new tilapia and catfish strains in Nigeria; Continental Spring Harvest, Abuja, leading the catfish research trials in Nigeria; and AWFishNet (Nigeria), a network of women professionals in Africa supporting field implementation.
For more information about AIT’s Aquaculture Program and Africa engagement, visit www.africanaquaculture.org.
