The Fisheries Committee participated in the 3rd Steering Committee Meeting / Final Workshop to Finalize the Project Document for the Implementation of the Regional Aquaculture Development Programme in West Africa (RADP-WA) organised by the ECOWAS Commission, with support from the United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO), and in collaboration with the Subregional Fisheries Commission (SRFC) on 25–26 September 2025 at Abuja, Nigeria. The Steering Committee Meeting / Final Workshop was organised to finalise and validate the draft Project Document for RADP-WA and explore resource mobilisation opportunities for its implementation. The Workshop’s participants included representatives from ECOWAS, FAO, SRFC, the West Africa Non-State Actors for Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (WANSAFA), and other regional stakeholders. The key outcomes of the Workshop are the finalisation and validation of the RADP-WA Project Document, the identification of funding opportunities, and consensus on implementation priorities and a roadmap for the roll-out of the programme.
Aquaculture plays an increasingly important role in improving nutrition, food security, and livelihoods across West Africa. However, despite the region’s abundant freshwater and coastal resources, aquaculture production remains below potential, accounting for only 14% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s total output as of 2022. Challenges such as limited adoption of modern technologies, underdeveloped marine aquaculture, and heavy reliance on imported fish have hampered the sector’s growth and made regional food systems vulnerable to global supply shocks.
In response to these challenges, the ECOWAS Commission, in alignment with the ECOWAP Regional Agricultural Policy and its Comprehensive Strategic Framework for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (CSFS-FAD), has taken steps to develop a coordinated regional approach to aquaculture. Supported by the United Nations Organisation for Food and Agriculture (FAO), the Regional Aquaculture Development Programme in West Africa (RADP-WA) was conceived to unlock the sector’s economic and social potential—particularly for youth, women, and vulnerable groups.
The recent Workshop in Abuja builds on previous consultations and represents the final milestone before implementation. Over the two-day meeting, participants reviewed the draft project document, provided detailed feedback, and identified strategic opportunities for funding and partnership. Discussions also covered collaborative implementation mechanisms, resource mobilisation products, and stakeholder roles to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the programme.
The RADP-WA is positioned as a critical instrument to reduce poverty, improve regional food sovereignty, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices. By validating the project document and aligning on funding strategies, the Steering Committee Meeting marked a key step forward in transforming aquaculture into a driver of inclusive growth and regional integration in West Africa.
