BlueInvest Africa 2024

Aquatic Hub Afrique Network (AHAN) is a prominent player in promoting aquaculture development in Nigeria and West Africa. As a branch of Fish Shoal Nigeria, AHAN focuses on education and development, aiming to harness the growth potential of the aquaculture sector in West Africa. Since its inception in February 2017, AHAN has launched comprehensive training and initiatives that have reached over 75,000 beneficiaries.

In late May 2024, at the time of the preliminary meeting for this article, 300 individuals were undergoing training at the facilities of Aquatic Hub Africa Network (AHAN) in Bayelsa State, with an additional 300 joining the program at the group's demonstration farm in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

"Our training programs are designed to equip women, youth, and small-scale farmers with the technical and business skills necessary to thrive in aquaculture," explains Olalekan Adeleke, Director of Programs and Projects at AHAN. "These training sessions cover essential aspects of aquaculture, such as modern farming techniques, as well as financial and administrative management, to ensure the sustainability of businesses. Since 2017, over 75,000 people have successfully benefited from our training sessions, mentorship or consultancy, sometimes with the support of organizations such as the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the German agencies GIZ and AFOS, or certain federated state governments in Nigeria." 

In addition to training, AHAN offers extensive extension services to fish farmers within its network. These services include advice on disease management and other challenges, often provided free of charge. AHAN operates a call center that fish farmers can contact for immediate support, ensuring timely and expert support to maintain healthy and productive stocks.

AHAN manages five farms that supply local markets with tilapia and catfish. The organization leverages its practical experience and modern facilities, including hatcheries and various grow-out infrastructure, to provide quality training and support.  

They have also ventured into fish feed production, sourcing raw materials from northern Nigerian farmers. AHAN produces high-quality fingerlings, ensuring farmers have access to the best stocks, coupled with a buy-back agreement that connects them to reliable markets.

AHAN's commitment to innovation is evident in their exploration of advanced aquaculture methods, such as cage farming, which is still relatively uncommon in Africa. Currently in Nigeria, fish farming is predominantly practiced in ponds, concrete basins, or even large plastic tanks.  

“Given the electricity situation in Nigeria, the majority of fish farmers rely on generators," says Olalekan Adeleke. "As a result, when they power their farms using generators, they spend a lot on fossil fuels and emit a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Additionally, they have to change the pond water almost every day. This results in high water and energy consumption, which is not sustainable, especially economically as it encroaches on profit margins, leading to financial problems for small-scale fish farmers. In this context, cage fish farming seems like a good solution.” 

This method, which involves raising fish in cages submerged in large bodies of water, offers several advantages, including reduced operational costs and environmental sustainability. The cages can also accommodate larger quantities of fish and do not require technical intervention between production cycles. Finally, the method is particularly advantageous in Nigeria, which has over 300 dams and numerous natural bodies of water suitable for fish farming. AHAN has already invested in three dams in the states of Oyo and Ogun.

AHAN's impact extends beyond the individual benefits to trained fish farmers. By enhancing the capacity and productivity of the aquaculture sector, AHAN contributes to broader food security and economic development goals in Nigeria. The Nigerian government has recognized the potential of aquaculture, recently establishing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to develop the sector. 

The growth potential of Nigeria's aquaculture sector is immense. Despite being Africa's largest economy, Nigeria only produces a little over a third of its fish consumption, with the rest imported from Europe and Asia. This gap represents a considerable growth margin for local aquaculture, supported by the country's ample suitable land and water resources.

Aquatic Hub Afrique Network plays a crucial role in revolutionizing aquaculture in Nigeria and West Africa. Through comprehensive training programs, innovative farming techniques, and extensive support services, AHAN empowers a new generation of fish farmers to sustainably meet the growing demand for fish and strengthen the food security of a rapidly growing population. 

For more information:  https://aquatichubafrique.com