Arabfields, Nadia Fatima Zahra, Arabfields, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast — In 2026, Côte d’Ivoire maintains its status as the foremost importer of fishery products across West Africa, with local production continuing to address only a modest share of national consumption requirements. The government has prioritized the reinforcement of domestic capacities through targeted interventions designed to curtail import dependency and foster greater self-sufficiency in this vital economic domain. The Project for the Development of Competitive Value Chains in Aquaculture and Sustainable Fishing, commonly referred to as ProDeCAP, represents a cornerstone of these efforts. Officially initiated in the preceding year, this comprehensive five-year program benefits from collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization and focuses on elevating the sector’s overall contribution to economic development as well as to broader objectives in food and nutritional security.

The initiative commands a substantial financial commitment totaling 28.95 million euros, equivalent to approximately 33.1 million United States dollars. This funding structure involves an 85 percent contribution through a loan extended by the African Development Bank, with the balance provided by the Ivorian authorities and additional participating entities. Such resources are allocated toward multifaceted improvements, encompassing enhanced governance frameworks and the promotion of sustainable practices in marine, lagoon, and inland fisheries alike. Complementary emphasis is placed on the expansion of aquaculture activities and the fortification of value chains to ensure greater competitiveness throughout the production and distribution processes.

As the program advances into its second year of implementation in 2026, preliminary indicators suggest a gradual stabilization in overall fishery output. Whereas national production stood at 87,228 tons in 2023, reflecting a 23.23 percent reduction from the 2018 peak of 113,637 tons, current assessments point to an estimated recovery to around 92,500 tons by the close of 2026. This modest upturn derives directly from the plan’s early interventions in infrastructure development and resource management, which have begun to mitigate longstanding constraints. Projections grounded in the program’s structured targets anticipate further acceleration, with total fishery production potentially surpassing 110,000 tons by 2030, assuming sustained execution and favorable external conditions.

Aquaculture emerges as a particularly dynamic component within this framework. Production levels, which registered 8,806 tons in 2023, are on track to reach approximately 18,600 tons by the end of 2026, in alignment with the trajectory required to attain the 35,000-ton milestone established for 2031. Such growth is expected to derive from expanded cultivation sites, improved technical assistance for operators, and the introduction of resilient species suited to local environmental parameters. The resultant augmentation in supply is projected to enhance the sector’s role in meeting domestic demand, thereby reducing pressure on capture fisheries and supporting more balanced ecosystem management over the coming decade.

The plan’s implementation spans three principal geographic zones to ensure nationwide coverage and relevance. These encompass the coastal marine areas, incorporating key urban and departmental centers such as Abidjan, Jacqueville, Assinie, San Pedro, Tabou, Grand-Béréby, and Sassandra. Inland regions, including the continental plains, river systems, lowlands, and flood-prone zones within the watersheds of Man, Bouaké, Toumodi, Yamoussoukro, Soubré, and Béoumi, along with the Kossou and Buyo dam lakes, form the second focus. This targeted approach facilitates tailored strategies that account for the distinct ecological and socioeconomic characteristics of each locale, promoting efficiency and localized ownership of outcomes.

Direct and indirect beneficiaries are anticipated to total approximately 700,000 individuals, among whom 50,000 engage primarily in aquaculture and 650,000 in traditional fishing operations. This expansive reach underscores the program’s potential to generate meaningful employment opportunities and income enhancements across diverse communities. By addressing critical bottlenecks, including elevated post-harvest losses and insufficient value-chain infrastructure, the initiative aims to preserve a larger proportion of harvested resources for commercial and subsistence use. In parallel, measures to counteract the adverse impacts of climate variability on fish stock regeneration are integrated, alongside efforts to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices that have historically undermined sustainability.

Financing constraints for small-scale operators and associated enterprises have likewise received attention through dedicated mechanisms intended to improve access to credit and technical support. As a consequence of these combined actions, the sector is positioned for a more robust contribution to national gross domestic product in the years ahead. Forecasts derived from the program’s baseline data indicate that, by 2035, the cumulative economic value added by fisheries and aquaculture could expand by at least 40 percent relative to 2023 levels, driven by higher output volumes, reduced import bills, and strengthened export potential for processed products.

The surge in imports observed in recent years provides additional context for the urgency of the current strategy. Volumes rose from approximately 388,000 tons in 2015 to more than 732,000 tons in 2024, representing an increase of nearly 90 percent. The corresponding financial outlay doubled during this interval, climbing from 229 billion CFA francs to over 518 billion CFA francs. In 2026, import figures are projected to moderate slightly to around 710,000 tons, reflecting the initial effects of enhanced local production on market dynamics. Should the plan achieve its intermediate benchmarks, a more pronounced decline in import dependency is foreseen by 2030, potentially bringing external procurement below 600,000 tons and freeing substantial budgetary resources for reinvestment in other developmental priorities.

Challenges that have impeded sectoral recovery for several years remain central to ongoing monitoring and adaptation. High post-harvest losses, for instance, have long resulted in significant waste, while inadequate cold-chain facilities and processing units have constrained market access. Climate-induced alterations in marine and freshwater environments have further complicated stock replenishment efforts. Through ProDeCAP, investments in modern storage solutions, training programs for value addition, and climate-resilient practices are systematically deployed to reverse these trends. The governance enhancements embedded in the plan also seek to foster greater coordination among stakeholders, including public institutions, private operators, and international partners, thereby creating a more cohesive operational environment.

From a food security perspective, the program’s success holds profound implications for both urban and rural populations. With demand for fishery products steadily rising in expanding metropolitan centers such as Abidjan, reliable domestic supply chains are essential to maintaining nutritional standards and affordability. Aquaculture development, in particular, offers a controlled and scalable pathway to supplement wild catches, ensuring year-round availability irrespective of seasonal fluctuations in natural stocks. Long-term projections suggest that, by 2040, the sector could satisfy up to 40 percent of national needs internally, compared to the current coverage of under 15 percent, thereby bolstering resilience against global supply disruptions and price volatility.

Sustainability constitutes an overarching principle guiding all activities. The plan emphasizes responsible resource utilization, habitat restoration initiatives, and the adoption of best practices in aquaculture to minimize environmental footprints. In the marine domain, for example, regulated fishing zones and monitoring systems are being strengthened to protect biodiversity and support long-term stock viability. Inland water bodies benefit from similar safeguards, including watershed management techniques that mitigate sedimentation and pollution risks. These measures not only safeguard ecological integrity but also enhance the sector’s appeal to environmentally conscious international markets, opening avenues for certified exports in the future.

Economically, the ripple effects extend beyond direct participants to encompass ancillary industries such as boat construction, net manufacturing, and logistics services. The anticipated creation of skilled jobs in areas ranging from hatchery management to quality control is expected to contribute to poverty alleviation and rural retention, particularly in coastal and lakeside communities. Moreover, by elevating the competitiveness of local value chains, the strategy positions Côte d’Ivoire to transition from a predominantly import-oriented posture to one capable of regional leadership in fishery trade within the West African Economic and Monetary Union.

As the five-year horizon unfolds, continuous evaluation mechanisms will track progress against established indicators, enabling timely adjustments where necessary. The integration of digital tools for data collection and stakeholder communication is foreseen to improve transparency and responsiveness. Looking further into the future, successful realization of ProDeCAP’s objectives could serve as a model for neighboring countries facing analogous sectoral challenges, thereby amplifying Côte d’Ivoire’s influence in subregional forums dedicated to sustainable blue economy development.

In summary, the multifaceted approach adopted through this initiative reflects a deliberate and forward-looking commitment to transforming the fisheries and aquaculture landscape. By leveraging substantial investments, strategic geographic targeting, and evidence-based projections, the government is laying the foundation for a more productive, resilient, and inclusive sector. The anticipated outcomes, encompassing higher production levels, diminished import reliance, and enhanced food security, align with broader national aspirations for economic diversification and social advancement well into the 2030s and beyond.