Rawlings Kofi
HARARE, Zimbabwe – In a decisive move to revitalize its aquaculture sector, Zimbabwe today officially launched the US$5.03 million Zimbabwe Tilapia Value Chain Market Strategy (2026–2030). The high-level breakfast event, held at the Rainbow Towers in Harare, brought together government officials, international development partners, and key industry stakeholders to unveil a national roadmap aimed at transforming the country's tilapia industry into a commercially viable, climate-resilient, and investment-ready powerhouse.
The strategy directly confronts a staggering 24,485-metric-tonne fish supply deficit and a catastrophic decline in export revenues, which plummeted from a peak of US$15.3 million in 2014 to a mere US$126,000 in 2024. This supply gap has historically been filled by imports that often retail cheaper than local products, a narrative the new strategy is designed to change.
Speaking at the launch, the Guest of Honour, Hon. Davis Marapira, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, underscored the government's unwavering commitment to the sector.
"Aquaculture is no longer viewed as a peripheral activity; it is now recognized as a critical pillar for rural industrialization and employment creation, especially for our youth and women," he stated. "The Government has put in place a supportive policy environment, as evidenced by the recent Cabinet-approved reduction in fees and the scraping of 15% VAT on fish products to ensure our local farmers can compete effectively."
The strategy was developed by the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) under the FISH4ACP programme, a global initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with technical leadership from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
A Blueprint for a US$1 Billion Sector
With the sector eyeing a US$1 billion valuation by 2030, the five-year strategy provides a comprehensive blueprint for addressing its most pressing issues. It focuses on moving the industry away from pond-side sales of raw fish towards a more lucrative, value-added model through specific, phased interventions.
Key strategic pillars include:
- Infrastructure Development: Establishing aggregation hubs and cold-chain logistics, including the Mutare Cold Room Unit (MCRU).
- Standardization: Rolling out Minimum Viable Packaging Standards (MVPS) and traceability systems to ensure food safety.
- Value Addition: Shifting focus from raw whole fish to processed fillets, smoked products, and ready-to-cook meals.
Ms. Alice Mapfiza, AMA Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the strategy's practical focus.
"Informed by market studies and stakeholder consultations, this strategy addresses major constraints across the value chain, including limited access to quality fingerlings and feed, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, and weak coordination," she said. "As the mandated regulatory body, AMA is committed to coordinating all stakeholders to ensure we achieve measurable outcomes and build a competitive, climate-resilient tilapia industry."
A Collaborative Effort for Inclusive Growth
The launch event emphasized the collaborative nature of the strategy. FAO Deputy Representative, Mr. Louis Muhigirwa, described the strategy as an "accelerator" for inclusive growth, particularly for women and youth who, he noted, lead many of the country’s fingerling production hubs.
In a significant institutional development, Hon. Marapira also announced the restructuring of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Production Department into the Livestock and Fisheries Production Department (LFPD), expanding its mandate to encompass livestock. "Just as we are modernizing aquaculture and tilapia farming, we want to see the same transformation in beef and small stock," he explained.
As the strategy moves into its implementation phase, the roles are clear. The government will provide policy support, AMA will drive market coordination, and farmers will be empowered to adopt best practices. However, the call for private sector buy-in was emphatic.
Mr. Milton Tinashe Makumbe, Director of the LFPD, urged financial partners to step up.
"This strategy is the continuation of a vision that began with visiting farmers and launching our first fish ponds; we are now moving beyond just production to secure the marketplace," he noted. "I urge our financial partners and the private sector to join us in building a resilient industry that ensures no fish farmer is left behind."
With a clear roadmap and a united front of stakeholders, Zimbabwe is poised to turn the tide on its fish deficit, rebuild its export markets, and unlock the full economic potential of its aquaculture sector, paving the way for a more prosperous and food-secure future.
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