Egypt to host “Fish for Africa” innovation hub

WorldFish, a not-for-profit research organization that promotes the harnessing of fisheries and aquaculture resources for reduction of food insecurity and poverty in developing countries, has unveiled a new innovation hub – ”Fish for Africa” – to enable continent to build on its fast-growing urbanization and emerging technology in a bid to improve livelihoods within communities in the region.

The Innovation Hub, which was slated to be unveiled during the 17 and 18 June Partners’ and Investors’ Forum in the cities of Cairo and Abbassa in Egypt, has been designed to serve as “a meeting place for collaboration, science, research and world-class knowledge complemented by the latest innovation trends on fisheries, aquaculture and value chain nutrition,” according to a statement by WorldFish last week. 

WorldFish, which more than 20 years ago set up the Africa Aquaculture Research and Training Centre in Sharkia Egypt, said the new Hub “will leverage Africa’s rapid urbanization, technology adoption and entrepreneurship to help increase education and employment opportunities in the region, particularly for women and youth groups.”

“The Fish for Africa Innovation Hub will function as a physical and virtual space, connecting science, policy and markets at all levels, engaging renowned and emerging scientists, entrepreneurs, fish producers, processors and consumers, policy-makers, community-based organizations, cooperatives and business associations,” WorldFish said.

The organization’s chairman, Baba Yussuf Abubakar, said the goal of the move is to make the most of the continent’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

“We need a Fish for Africa Innovation Hub, to help catalyze a vibrant private sector with innovative fish-based enterprises and business associations, with new skills, new jobs, and innovative entrepreneurship opportunities,” Yussuf Sbubakar said.

Setting up of the Fish for Africa Innovation Hub is expected to support the continent’s fisheries and aquaculture sector realize the unfulfilled promise of being one of the world’s largest growing food production sectors according to WorldFish Director General Gareth Johnstone.

The Hub will make it possible for fish and aquaculture stakeholders in Africa to “deliver broad-based economic growth and prosperity for the continent, to produce affordable, accessible, safe and nutritious fish and fish foods for all within environmental limits, and ensure a sustainable blue economy future for Africa,” Johnstone said.

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