New AfDB Review Highlights Inland Fisheries as Lifeline for Millions of Africans
Inland fisheries remain a vital source of food security, livelihoods and resilience for millions of Africans, according to a new review by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The Review of African Inland Fisheries calls for urgent investment in restoring aquatic habitats and better integrating fisheries into wider water resource management.
The report estimates that Africa has around five million full- or part-time fishers, with more than 10 million people – half of them women – dependent on inland fisheries when subsistence fishing is included. Beyond nutrition, the sector contributes significantly to income diversification and social cohesion, the Review notes.
“Realising this potential is crucial to meeting the food and nutritional demands of Africa’s growing population. However, this cannot be achieved without a harmonised and integrated approach to other activities that are necessary for development, from energy production to agriculture and industrial activities,” the report warns.
While inland fisheries have demonstrated natural resilience to climate change, their sustainability relies on healthy ecosystems and effective water governance. The Review urges investment in habitat restoration, including reconnecting floodplains, reducing pollution and rehabilitating riparian zones. These measures would not only enhance fish production but also improve water quality and provide natural flood protection.
Protecting critical habitats, such as Lake Victoria’s marshes and Senegal’s polluted Falémé River, is highlighted as a priority. The report also points to opportunities for combining energy and fisheries development, such as restoring artificial floods downstream of hydroelectric dams – approaches already piloted on Kenya’s Tana River and the Senegal River.
The publication follows a joint appeal by the AfDB and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Dakar in September 2024, urging greater recognition of the economic and social contributions of inland fisheries.
