Angola

Project overview

Angola faces significant environmental challenges, including biodiversity loss, degradation of soil and water resources, and unsustainable use of natural ecosystems, all of which are being intensified by climate change.

Aquaculture plays an important role in food security and rural livelihoods, particularly in northern Angola, where fish is a key source of nutrition and income. Despite its potential, inland aquaculture remains limited and constrained by low productivity, weak governance, and growing environmental pressures.

In response, the Government of Angola has identified sustainable fisheries and aquaculture as a strategic priority within its agri-food systems transformation and blue economy agenda. The Sustainable Aquaculture in the Northern Region of Angola project supports this transition by promoting an integrated and inclusive approach to aquaculture development that delivers environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Read More on the Sustainable Aquaculture Project in the Northern Region of Angola

Our approach

The project aims to support the sustainable expansion of inland freshwater aquaculture in northern Angola, improving productivity while safeguarding freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Activities focus on promoting environmentally responsible aquaculture practices, strengthening governance and spatial planning, and improving access to finance, markets, and technologies for small-scale and family producers. The project supports the adoption of climate-smart and ecosystem-based production systems that reduce environmental pressures, enhance resilience, and improve food safety and quality.

Key actions include improving farm management practices, promoting sustainable feed systems, reducing pollution and disease risks, and supporting the responsible use of water and natural resources. Knowledge generation, innovation, and capacity building are central to the project, enabling producers, institutions, and value chain actors to adopt sustainable approaches.

Public sector engagement focuses on strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, improving coordination across institutions, and supporting the integration of sustainable aquaculture into national food systems and development strategies.

The project also places strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion, promoting the participation of women and youth in aquaculture value chains and supporting equitable access to skills, resources, and economic opportunities.

Sites

The provinces of Uíge, Bengo, Bié, Cuanza Norte, and Malanje, which together cover more than 266,000 km² and represent around 64 per cent of Angola’s family-based aquaculture units.