Côte d’Ivoire has launched a five-year initiative aimed at revitalizing its fisheries and aquaculture sector, a critical component of food security and economic development in the West African nation.
The Competitive Value Chain Development Project for Aquaculture and Sustainable Fisheries, known as ProDeCAP, was rolled out on March 26 with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The program seeks to strengthen production, governance, and value chains while addressing structural weaknesses that have limited sector growth.
ProDeCAP is backed by a total budget of approximately US$33.1 million (€28.95 million), with 85 percent financed through a loan from the African Development Bank. The remainder is provided by the Ivorian government and other stakeholders. Authorities estimate the program will directly and indirectly benefit around 700,000 people, including 50,000 involved in aquaculture and 650,000 in fisheries.
Boosting aquaculture and sustainable fisheries
The project aims to increase aquaculture output to 35,000 tons by 2031, up from just 8,806 tons in 2023, according to FAO data. ProDeCAP also targets improved governance and sustainable management of marine, lagoon, and inland fisheries, while strengthening competitive value chains throughout the sector.
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Implementation will focus on three main zones: the coastal region—including Abidjan, Jacqueville, Assinie, and the departments of San Pedro, Tabou, Grand-Béréby, and Sassandra—and inland water systems such as rivers, lowlands, artesian wells, and floodplains across central watersheds. Key inland locations include Man, Bouaké, Toumodi, Yamoussoukro, Soubré, Béoumi, and the Kossou and Buyo reservoirs.
Sector under pressure
Côte d’Ivoire’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has struggled to recover from a production peak of 113,637 tons in 2018. By 2023, output had fallen to 87,228 tons, a 23.2 percent decline over five years. Analysts cite high post-harvest losses, limited value chain infrastructure, climate change impacts on fish stocks, widespread illegal fishing, and restricted access to financing for fishers and SMEs as major constraints.
The shortfall in domestic production has fueled reliance on imports, which surged nearly 90 percent between 2015 and 2024. Import volumes rose from roughly 388,000 tons to over 732,000 tons, while import costs jumped from CFA229 billion (about US$411.7 million) to more than CFA518 billion, according to the General Directorate of Customs.
“This project is designed to address the sector’s structural weaknesses and enhance its contribution to local economies, food security, and nutrition,” said a FAO representative.
Looking ahead
ProDeCAP is expected to modernize aquaculture and fisheries value chains, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve market access for small and medium enterprises. Authorities hope the program will reverse declining production trends, reduce import dependency, and strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s position as a regional supplier of fish and seafood products.
“The project reflects our commitment to building a sustainable fisheries sector that can meet domestic demand while contributing to the national economy,” said Stéphanas Assocle, a government official involved in the initiative.
With rising urban demand, particularly in Abidjan, and ongoing pressure on fish stocks, the success of ProDeCAP will be closely watched by investors, development partners, and communities whose livelihoods depend on the sector.
