Online Reporter
Theseus Mauruki Shambare in BULAWAYO
THE European Union and Germany have thrown their weight behind Zimbabwe’s drive to unlock the vast potential of its fisheries and aquaculture sector through a broader €207 million facility aimed at building sustainable and climate-smart agricultural value chains.
Zimbabwe is considered to have the potential to grow its aquaculture industry to US$2,37 billion by 2030 if the country scales up production capacity, strengthens blue economy value chains and attracts fresh investment into the sector.
The industry, initially projected as a US$1 billion agricultural division, could more than double in value following findings from a comprehensive National Aquaculture Frame Survey undertaken since 2024.
This comes as Government moves to accelerate fish production, deepen value addition and unlock new opportunities within the country’s emerging blue economy.
The aquaculture sector spans fish farming, crocodile production and other aquatic enterprises, which authorities say can significantly contribute to exports, nutrition security and rural industrialisation.
Government’s programme to establish 35 000 Village Business Units (VBUs) and School Business Units (SBUs) is already delivering benefits in rural communities through employment creation, household income generation and improved access to affordable protein.
The investment momentum also dovetails with the FISH4ACP programme, a global initiative supporting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture value chains in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
In Zimbabwe, the programme is helping improve production systems, strengthen market access, crowd in private investment and build competitive fish value chains aligned to national industrialisation goals.
Speaking during a side event at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) titled; “Investing in Zimbabwe’s aquaculture: Opportunities for growth and regional trade”, EU head of cooperation Ms Anna Cichocka said aquaculture had emerged as a strategic pillar for food security, rural livelihoods and private sector-led growth.
She said the support falls under the EU’s Team Europe initiatives, through which the bloc and its member states are mobilising resources to support Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“From the European Union’s perspective, investment in aquaculture aligns strongly with the Global Gateway Strategy and our Team Europe initiatives of greener and climate-smart agriculture, through which the EU and its member states are mobilising around 207 million euros to support sustainable and resilient agriculture value chains in Zimbabwe,” said Ms Cichocka.
She said the FISH4ACP programme, jointly supported by the EU and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, was already helping to strengthen producers, improve market systems and attract responsible private investment into Zimbabwe’s fish value chain.
“Through this partnership, we aim to strengthen value chains, support entrepreneurship and create the conditions for long-term investment and growth.
“We see aquaculture as a sector that can connect food security and rural livelihoods with private sector development,” she said.
Ms Cichocka said Zimbabwe was already recording encouraging progress, with farmers reorganising themselves, adopting improved production methods and beginning to treat aquaculture as a business rather than a subsistence activity.
However, she said the country still imports significant volumes of fish despite rising domestic demand, creating immediate opportunities for investors.
“This tells us one important thing: there is a market now, and there is still room to grow,” she said.
In a speech read on his behalf by Livestock and Fisheries Production director Mr Milton Makumbe, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, and Lands and Rural Development Professor Obert Jiri said Government had already positioned aquaculture as a strategic growth sector under the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2: 2026-2030).
He said fish production is targeted to rise from 35 515 tonnes last year to 60 000 tonnes by 2030, representing a 69 percent increase.
“Our target is clear, increase fish production from 35 515 tonnes in 2025 to 60 000 tonnes by 2030.
“But I submit to you today that with the right investment, we can surpass that target,” said Prof Jiri.
He said the country offers immediate investment opportunities in hatchery development, feed production, cold chain systems, processing facilities and market hubs.
“The strategy is ready. The policies are in place. The market is waiting. Now, let us invest,” he said.
Food and Agriculture Organisation Subregional Coordinator for Southern Africa and Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Patrice Talla, said aquaculture is no longer a niche activity, but a strategic sector critical to economic growth, food security and climate resilience.
“Zimbabwe stands at a critical juncture. As demand for affordable animal protein continues to rise, aquaculture offers a viable, scalable and investable solution,” said Dr Talla.
Scaling the sector will help reduce fish imports, improve rural livelihoods and create jobs, particularly for women and young people.
The renewed confidence by international partners, Prof Jiri said, comes as the country intensifies efforts to diversify agriculture, industrialise rural economies and build export-oriented value chains under Vision 2030.
