Advancing Ethical, safe and sustainable aquaculture in Africa
The Africa Fish and Aquaculture Welfare (AFIWEL) Program is a pan-African initiative advancing ethical, welfare-driven, safe, and sustainable aquatic systems across the continent. AFIWEL works to improve the health and well-being of farmed fish and aquatic animals, while strengthening environmental sustainability, food safety, livelihoods, and market systems. Through a combination of policy integration, farmer training, digital tools, advocacy, and certification models, the program supports national governments, producers, researchers, and consumers in building a more responsible and inclusive aquaculture sector. AFIWEL is currently active across 11 African countries and is building a vibrant regional network of practitioners, institutions, and communities committed to transforming aquaculture, for the benefit of animals, people, ecosystems, and the planet.
The Sustainable Impact Resource Guide and Toolkit is being developed through six key phases
Strengthening national systems to embed fish welfare within policy, coordination structures, and government leadership.
Deploying technical, digital, market, and financial systems that deliver measurable improvements in welfare, sustainability, and responsible aquaculture.
Investing in people, equity, skills, and knowledge systems to drive long-term change in responsible aquaculture across Africa
Building resilient financial, institutional, and partnership frameworks to secure AFIWEL’s long-term future.
Active implementation across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tunisia, Egypt, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar
Active implementation across 23 Nigerian states: Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, FCT, Ilorin, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe
Latest insights from the AFIWEL Program
Kenya’s aquaculture sector is growing fast, playing a vital role in food security and the national Blue Economy. As production intensifies, ensuring that fish farming
On this World Fisheries Day, AFIWEL, an initiative of the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) celebrates Africa’s fisheries and aquaculture communities; the farmers, processors,
Attention all professionals working in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare across Africa. An exciting opportunity awaits you to become part of the
On this World Fisheries Day, AFIWEL, an initiative of the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) celebrates Africa’s…
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Attention all professionals working in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare across Africa. An exciting opportunity…
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Thaddeus Zaabwe is an aquaculture researcher at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) in Uganda. His role has…
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As the AFIWEL Fellow for Zambia and Senior Aquaculture Researcher at ARIZ, the program has been transformative, strengthening my ability to lead, research, and influence policy through ethical and sustainable practices. It shifted my focus from production metrics to integrating fish welfare and sustainability into research. I now translate welfare findings into concise policy briefs that inform leadership decisions and national frameworks. My contribution to Zambia’s Draft Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill (2025) reflects this impact. I also mentor colleagues to embed AFIWEL principles for lasting, high-welfare aquaculture.
