Zambia’s economic landscape is undergoing a fluid transformation as a burgeoning “blue economy” begins to rival the traditional dominance of the copper mining sector.
Driven by a surge in domestic demand and a strategic push for food self-sufficiency, aquaculture has ascended to become one of the country’s fastest-growing industries, recording a landmark production of over 89,000 metric tons in 2024.
The shift is being spearheaded by a new generation of “agri-preneurs” who are leveraging digital tools and private-sector expertise to modernise what was once a subsistence-level practice.
Sibongile Sonile Nthani, a 27-year-old farmer in Kafue, typifies this transition. “I never imagined I’d become a fish farmer,” Nthani said while overseeing her ponds near the capital. “But when I saw how much fish we were importing, I knew there was an opportunity. I wanted something I could own and grow.”
Despite the sector’s rapid ascent, Zambia remains a net importer of fish, consuming approximately 170,000 metric tons annually. To bridge this structural deficit, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has rolled out targeted financial instruments, including the Aquaculture Seed Fund, which provides low-interest credit to women and youth.
Evans Mutanuka, a director at the ministry, emphasised that the objective is to move beyond mere production toward sustainable business modelling. “Our goal is to make aquaculture a sustainable business,” Mutanuka noted, adding that partnerships with private firms are currently focused on improving the local supply of high-quality hatcheries and feed.
The commercialisation of the sector is further anchored by established market leaders like Yalelo, which now produces more than 18,000 metric tons of fish annually for both domestic and regional markets. Fisho Mwale, a pioneer in the Zambian industry, observed that the demographic profile of the Zambian farmer is shifting toward a more educated, tech-savvy workforce.
“Now we’re seeing a new generation that’s educated, tech-savvy, and business-minded,” Mwale stated, highlighting how his firm’s workshops now train smaller producers in water quality monitoring and digital market integration.
However, the industry faces significant operational headwinds, most notably the high cost of feed, which accounts for nearly 60% of total production expenses. Additionally, local producers must contend with the influx of cheaper, often larger, imported fish that dominate urban markets.
Dr Kunda Ndashe, an aquatic health researcher at the University of Zambia, warned that long-term competitiveness will require deeper investment in biosecurity and climate-smart infrastructure to mitigate the risks of fluctuating water levels and disease.
Zambia’s trajectory is now being cited by the African Union as a potential blueprint for continental diversification. As the nation pivots away from its heavy reliance on mineral exports, the success of the aquaculture sector serves as a vital indicator of how traditional economies can reinvent themselves.
For farmers like Nthani, the success is already visible in her growing order books. “When I started, people laughed and said fish farming was for men,” she recalled. “Now, they ask how to start their own ponds.”
