A researcher in a laboratory. Photo/WorldFish
By Newsflash Reporter
In a move set to transform the future of aquatic food systems in West Africa, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire and international research organization WorldFish have signed an Agreement in Principle to establish a Regional Hub for Aquatic Food System Innovations.
The signing, which took place on Monday, 2 June, as part of WorldFish’s 50th anniversary celebrations, marks a major milestone in the push to improve food security, boost economic development, and address climate-related challenges in the region.
The agreement outlines a shared vision for the creation of a dedicated centre for scientific collaboration, innovation scaling, and capacity development aimed at strengthening aquatic food systems across West Africa.
Once operational, the Hub is expected to serve as a central node for research and development, helping countries in the region meet rising demand for fish and other aquatic foods while supporting sustainable practices.
The agreement was formalized by Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, and Dr Essam Yassin Mohammed, Director General of WorldFish.
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A formal Hosting Agreement is expected to follow later this year.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Touré described the partnership as a historic moment for Côte d’Ivoire and its neighbors. “This partnership marks a turning point for Côte d’Ivoire and the wider region.
By joining forces with WorldFish, we are investing in science, innovation, and the long-term resilience of our aquatic food systems,” said Touré. “This is not just about boosting production—it is about creating jobs, securing nutrition for future generations, and positioning Africa as a global leader in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.”
Strategic response to food security
As part of its commitment, the Government of Côte d’Ivoire has pledged USD 3 million over the next five years to support the initiative.
The country will also provide land and infrastructure for the Hub’s establishment. WorldFish, in turn, will contribute global scientific expertise and align research efforts with the national and regional development goals of West African states.
Dr Mohammed underscored the importance of the Hub at a time when global and regional food systems are under mounting pressure. “This Regional Hub will help drive research and innovation on aquatic foods across West Africa,” he said. “It comes at a critical moment, with science needed more than ever to improve nutrition, support livelihoods and build resilience in the face of climate and economic shocks.”
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The need for such an initiative is underscored by recent projections showing that Africa will need to increase its aquatic food production by 74 percent by 2050 just to maintain current per capita consumption levels. The proposed Hub aims to tackle this challenge head-on by supporting innovations in sustainable aquaculture, fisheries management, and aquatic food value chains.
Beyond increasing food production, the Hub is also expected to play a key role in strengthening food and nutrition security, generating employment opportunities, and improving incomes, especially in rural and coastal communities that heavily rely on fisheries and aquaculture.
By situating the Hub in Côte d’Ivoire, the agreement leverages the country’s strategic geographic location, existing institutional capacity, and commitment to regional cooperation.
The collaboration with WorldFish—an organization renowned for its scientific excellence in aquatic food systems—further boosts the potential impact of the initiative.
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