Along the breeze-swept shores of Mpulungu District, where the emerald waters of Lake Tanganyika meet the bustle of local commerce, a crucial conversation about the future of Zambian fisheries took center stage. More than 100 fishers, processors, traders, and community leaders gathered alongside financial innovators and government officials for Kapenta Day 2026. The annual gathering underscored a shared imperative: transforming the tiny, protein-rich kapenta fish into a engine for sustainable economic growth and climate resilience.
Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in tandem with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Mpulungu-Nsama Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MPUNSA), and local district leadership, the event served as an active marketplace of ideas. Under the banner of “Strengthening Partnerships and Markets for a Sustainable Kapenta Value Chain,” stakeholders demonstrated how technological innovation,from solar-powered cold storage facilities to improved post-harvest handling gear is helping protect fish harvests from spoilage while boosting local incomes.
Central to the vision for a modernized fisheries sector is smarter stewardship supported by robust data. With growing pressure on freshwater ecosystems, tracking fish stocks and monitoring harvest compliance has shifted from a administrative task to an ecological priority. Government initiatives launched in partnership with regional conservation bodies are stepping in to bridge the gap between traditional fishing practices and digital resource management.
“To guarantee that Kapenta remains productive for future generations, we must prioritize responsible harvesting, strict compliance and rigorous data-driven management,” emphasized Evans Mutanuka, Fisheries Director. He noted that the government will roll out FAIMS, a specialized digital platform designed to streamline data collection on fish landings, fishing efforts, and compliance across key pilot sites in Zambia.
Building a resilient value chain requires more than regulatory oversight; it demands an interconnected business ecosystem where small-scale processors and women traders can seamlessly access credit, modern equipment, and expanding markets. Across the event grounds, financial service providers and entrepreneurs negotiated directly, bridging the gap between smallholder enterprise and commercial investment.
“The success of the kapenta value chain depends not only on production but also on strong markets and effective partnerships,” stated Suze Percy-Filippini, FAO Representative in Zambia. “Today’s event provides an important opportunity for building linkages among fishers, processors, traders, financial institutions, input suppliers and service providers. Access to finance, improved business relationships and investment in value addition are all critical elements for creating a more competitive and resilient sector.”
Supported by FISH4ACP,a global initiative led by the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), funded by the European Union and Germany’s BMZ, and implemented by the FAO, Kapenta Day 2026 expanded upon its inaugural debut from the previous year. Through vibrant cultural performances, hands-on technology demonstrations, and cross-sector networking, the gathering solidified its role as an indispensable annual fixture for Zambia’s blue economy.
