Fish farming in Cameroon is undergoing a quiet revolution, transforming lives and lifting communities through innovation and support from the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Along the coast and southwestern regions, fish ponds have become more than production sites—they are engines of opportunity.
A New Wave of Aquaculture Innovation
The Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP), funded with €84 million by the AfDB and implemented by Cameroon’s Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, is reshaping aquaculture.
At the heart of this transformation is a new strain of African catfish (clarias), known for rapid growth, low fat content, and strong survival rates.
The Agricultural Research Institute for Development developed this strain to help farmers harvest fish faster, with better yields and greater profitability. These fish reach market weight in just five to six months, a significant improvement on older strains that required up to nine months.
Empowering Local Farmers and Women
Over 2,600 broodstock were distributed to 50 pilot hatcheries, producing more than 115,000 fry since late 2024. These results are already changing the lives of farmers like Fanta Njifondjou Oumarou, a fish farmer in Limbé.
“The support given by the Project is encouraging us to go further… Today, I feel better equipped to make a profit from fish farming,” she explained.
Such testimonies underline how the project empowers not only established farmers but also women and youth eager to enter aquaculture.
Comprehensive Training Right Across Cameroon
Beyond broodstock, the PD-CVEP offers technical training for 280 fish farmers. From cage farming to hatchery management and feed production, the program strengthens the entire aquaculture value chain. The goal is clear: improve technical skills, boost resilience, and ensure food security in Cameroon.
Farmer Training Includes:
-
Floating cage farming and reproduction techniques.
-
Business management to increase profitability.
The training helps ensure that Cameroonian farmers can compete regionally, reduce dependency on imports, and improve local diets.
Building Toward Food Security Goals
The AfDB has set a target of boosting annual national fish production by 10,000 tons by 2027. A key strategy is expanding supply of improved broodstock, with 15,000 catfish and tilapia planned for distribution.
The Ministry, the Agricultural Research Institute, and the Project form a tripartite system to oversee hatchery operations and ensure high-quality production.
With digital data collection, quarterly reports track progress, farmer satisfaction, and market results.
Rising Market Demand
Consumers are responding positively to the new fish. Vendors in Douala report that customers prefer the taste and firmer texture of the clarias fish.
“The flavour appeals to customers and my income has increased significantly,”
said Ms. Moukoudi Mbappé Dolie, a fish vendor in Douala.
-
Fishmongers in Deïdo and Dakar markets now benefit from planned upgrades, including hygienic counters, cold storage, and security.
-
Better facilities aim to protect vendors’ dignity while ensuring fish quality for consumers.
Long-Term Regional Impact
From Bamenda to Yaoundé, improvements to fish farms are expected to create regional hubs supplying quality fry across Cameroon. This decentralised approach strengthens resilience and secures long-term aquaculture growth.
As Victor Viban Banah, a regional delegate, emphasized:
“This project is crucial for the future of our aquaculture sector.”
Bottom Line
The PD-CVEP stands as more than a development project. It represents an ecosystem of resilience, innovation, and inclusion—one that is reshaping West Africa’s aquaculture sector and creating lasting opportunities for Cameroon’s communities.
Sources: African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.