Start FoodTechAfrica

2012
We started the consortium because a Kenyan farmer told us he could not make fish farming profitable for himself and other farmers around him. Lake Victoria’s output is declining rapidly due to pollution, overfishing, and lack of regulation
Kamuthanga

2012
First nucleus farm, established in Kenya. We started with the construction of the Kamuthanga fish farm. By now, this farm has grown to become the example of sustainable fish farming in the region.
Unga feed factory

2017
High-quality, affordable fish feed is essential to the development of an aquaculture sector yet was still hardly available in East-Africa. To overcome this farming constraint, we opened the first high-quality feed mill in the region.
The Roost

2018
A fish farm of the scale of Kamuthanga requires substantial investments and initial capital, making it not available to many in East-Africa. With FoodTechAfrica, we developed a modular, stand-alone fish farming system tailor-made to overcome the local challenges.
EcoMark Africa

2019
As a recognition of the sustainability of our fish farming technology and methods, the Kamuthanga fish farm has been awarded by the EcoMark Africa certification at the platinum level, the
highest of four certification levels. The first certified fish farm in Africa!
Regional approach

2019
When we started our journey of FoodTechAfrica, it quickly became apparent that only a regional approach can create the critical mass needed to bring about structural change in the regionally interdependent value chain of aquaculture.
Demonstration farms

2019
Following the excellent results of the project in Kenya, FoodTechAfrica introduced its farming activities to the wider East-African region. Demonstration farms have now been established in both Tanzania and Rwanda.
Aquaculture academy

A key obstacle to future development of the aquaculture sector in East-Africa is a lack of hands-on, practical training. So far, we have trained over 300 people in fish farming, entrepreneurship & feed production. We see an urgent need for a dedicated aquaculture academy, in which international aquaculture expertise is combined with the local knowledge of training institutes, vocational schools & the private sector.

FoodTechAfrica

FoodTechAfrica is a public-private partnership of 21 companies and universities improving food security in East Africa through the establishment of a fully integrated aquaculture value chain. Our exceptional journey started modestly in 2012, when a Kenyan farmer told us he could not make fish farming profitable for himself and other farmers around him. A surprise, as Kenya borders Lake Victoria; a source of fish for the region for centuries. However, Lake Victoria’s output is declining rapidly due to pollution, overfishing, and lack of regulation. The declining output has been partially replaced by the import of fish. A missed opportunity, as East Africa has excellent capabilities to produce local fish, for the local market. FoodTechAfrica was built to unlock the potential of local fish production in a sustainable and profitable way, combining our powerful aquaculture solutions with market requirements. Our partnership brings a localized mix of knowledge, practical skills and technology to the table. Jointly, we enable fish farmers to overcome farming constraints and become profitable aquaculture entrepreneurs.

A regional success

When the journey of FoodTechAfrica started, it quickly became apparent that only a regional approach can create the critical mass needed to bring about structural change in the regionally interdependent value chain of aquaculture. Following the excellent results of the project in Kenya, FoodTechAfrica introduced its farming activities to the wider East-African region. Aerated fish farming systems have now been established in Rwanda and Tanzania. Local entrepreneurs are seeing the business opportunities in the success of existing farms, generating interest and industry growth. Localizing the program and placing additional emphasis on education and capacity building, the intervention strategy is proving to be a regional success.

How we work

We believe that the great potential of aquaculture in East-Africa can only be unlocked by working together. Using the strengths of both Dutch and East-African partners, the project supports actors along the entire value chain. Delivering impact through partnerships is key our approach. By bringing different chain partners together in a single consortium, an effective strategy for the entire industry is jointly implemented and managed. This allows for development across the entire value chain, from inputs such as fish feeds and fingerlings, production system to the training of partners and farmers. The concrete impact of the program is visible in the local communities. Improved food production, better access to fitting nutrition and job opportunities have effectively changed lives. By tackling problems along the value chain together, aquaculture challenges inhibiting individual partners are jointly overcome.