AFIWEL at the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Conference 2025

The World Aquaculture Society’s (WAS) AFRAQ25 Conference, themed “Resilient Value Chains in the Blue Economy,” was held from 24 to 27 June 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda. This landmark event marked the largest aquaculture-focused gathering ever hosted in Africa, attracting over 1,800 participants from 79 countries, including leading scientists, industry professionals, policymakers, investors, farmers, and development partners.

AFRAQ25 provided a global platform for sharing innovations, scientific advancements, and best practices tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges of aquaculture in Africa. The conference featured:

• Scientific and technical sessions on aquaculture production, health, nutrition, genetics, and environmental sustainability.
• Industry forums and trade exhibitions showcasing the latest technologies, products, and services.
• Special sessions focused on youth and women in aquaculture, investment opportunities, and policy frameworks.
• Networking opportunities that fostered collaborations among researchers, private sector actors, and policymakers.

The event highlighted the vital role of aquaculture in Africa’s Blue Economy, especially in building resilient value chains that can tackle food security, create employment, and support climate change adaptation across the continent.

The conference was officially opened by Her Excellency Jessica Alupo, Vice President of Uganda, who emphasized aquaculture’s potential in addressing food insecurity, unemployment, and the climate crisis in Africa. Hon. Hellen Adoa, Minister of State for Fisheries, reinforced the need for regional collaboration and the sustainable management of water resources as pillars for aquaculture growth.

OHDI and AFIWEL’s Contribution

For One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) and our flagship Africa Fish Welfare (AFIWEL) Program, AFRAQ25 was a pivotal opportunity to amplify the importance of fish welfare within the broader sustainability discourse in aquaculture. Our participation built on the momentum of the Africa Aquatic Animal Welfare (AQUAWEL) Conference, which we successfully hosted just a week earlier in Lagos, Nigeria.

During the scientific sessions:

• Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore, Executive Director of OHDI, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Scaling Fish Welfare for Sustainable Aquaculture in Africa.” She shared the journey of OHDI’s fish welfare advocacy, from early research and pilot projects in Nigeria to driving regional movements, policy dialogues, and farmer engagement across Africa. Dr. Oluwarore emphasized the critical need to integrate welfare standards into aquaculture, not just for ethical reasons, but for productivity, environmental sustainability, and food safety.
• Ms. Julie Bwoga, AFIWEL Program Manager, presented under the Aquatic Animal Health track with an insightful session titled “From Farm to Plate: A One Health Approach to Tilapia Health and Welfare.” She explored how applying a One Health lens, linking animal health, environmental stewardship, and human well-being—is essential for the sustainability of Africa’s tilapia value chain.

Beyond formal sessions, the OHDI team actively engaged with stakeholders from governments, academia, the private sector, and international organizations to forge collaborations, share resources, and advocate for the adoption of welfare-friendly aquaculture practices in policy and practice. These connections are essential to advancing our mission of transforming aquaculture systems for better health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment.

Community Connections and Growing Momentum

AFRAQ25 also provided a valuable opportunity to connect in person with members of the AFIWEL community, Fellows, partners, and collaborators, many of whom were present at the conference. Continuing conversations from the recent AQUAWEL Conference, it was encouraging to witness growing interest in integrating fish welfare and One Health principles within Africa’s aquaculture landscape. These engagements strengthened our collective resolve to scale impact through shared expertise, strategic partnerships, and continental collaboration.

Looking Ahead

The conference concluded with a renewed sense of optimism, strengthened partnerships, and a unified vision for an aquaculture sector that is productive, ethical, and sustainable. As Uganda passes the torch, focus now shifts to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, which will host the next AFRAQ Conference in December 2026.

At OHDI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the fish welfare agenda through the AFIWEL Program and promoting the One Health approach in aquaculture and aquatic ecosystem management. Our work continues through collaborations, capacity building, and policy advocacy to ensure that Africa’s aquaculture revolution is rooted in sustainability, ethics, and resilience.