A major regional programme spearheaded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) is transforming aquatic resource management and revitalising cross-border fish trade across Southern Africa, benefiting nearly three million people, including thousands in Zimbabwe.
The Programme for Improving Fisheries Governance and Blue Economy Trade Corridors (ProFishBlue) has become one of the region’s most impactful blue-economy initiatives, boosting fish production, consumption, incomes and employment across seven African Development Fund (ADF) countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar.
Over the past four years, the initiative has generated more than 500 000 tonnes of cross-border fish trade, strengthening food security and providing new economic opportunities for fishing communities across SADC.
Supported by a US$9.2 million ADF-15 grant, ProFishBlue has delivered a wide array of interventions that have uplifted over 250 000 direct beneficiaries. These include:
• Training in fish value-chain management, post-harvest technologies and SME development;
• Genetic improvement programmes for local tilapia species to boost aquaculture productivity;
• Standardisation and policy harmonisation through collaboration with bureaus of standards and customs authorities;
• Support for nutrition education, fish product innovation, and investment planning in the blue economy sector;
• Provision of fish quality-assurance equipment, cold-chain transport vehicles and market infrastructure.
In addition, the initiative strengthened the management of shared water bodies through fish stock assessments, vessel monitoring systems to combat illegal fishing, and enhanced data collection through training in vessel inspection and catch statistics.
During this year’s World Fisheries Day commemorations on November 21, the SADC Secretariat, AfDB and various strategic partners convened in Gaborone to celebrate the programme’s achievements. The event highlighted how ProFishBlue has modernised fish value chains, expanded local markets, and improved livelihoods since its launch in 2022.
Government officials, development partners, private-sector players and civil society representatives used the platform to chart the next phase of sustainable fisheries governance and regional trade integration.
“We are indebted to the African Development Bank Group for providing funding to implement this project within the Blue Economy space,” said Director Domingos Gove, speaking on behalf of Ms. Angele Makombo Ntumba, SADC Deputy Secretary for Regional Integration.
The AfDB-funded programme is now recognised as a catalyst for regional economic integration, demonstrating how improved governance of aquatic resources can unlock trade, strengthen nutrition, and build climate resilience across rural communities.
As ProFishBlue continues to expand, it is laying a strong foundation for a modern, inclusive and sustainable blue economy in Southern Africa, one that places communities at the centre of economic growth and environmental stewardship
