In June 2025, Uganda meets the world for the World Aquaculture Safari 2025 Conference (WA25 Uganda). Themed “Aquaculture on the Rise”, the conference, which is being organised by the World Aquaculture Society, is expected to bring together nearly 2000 participants from around the world with the usual goal to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation within the sector. The event aims to address some of the sector’s challenges whilst showcasing new technologies for sustainable and resilient aquaculture practices.
The EU-funded TRUEFISH Project, overseen by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) is the lead sponsor for the event. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) has just signed the Gold Sponsorship for the event. GIZ, through its Global Programme Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture has supported previous Aquaculture Africa Conferences in Egypt (2022), Zambia (2023) and recently in Tunisia (2023). WA25 will once again affirm GIZ’s commitment to sustainable aquaculture development in Africa, focusing on value chain approaches, capacity building, and promoting environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.
Moreover, the return of developmental organisations who featured in previous AFRAQs is inspiring. The World Bank, African Union agencies, FAO, WorldFish and others have expressed commitment to deliver special side-sessions and workshops covering some key thematic areas including relevant global and regional processes, technologies and innovations, investment, trade, value chain competitiveness as well as partnerships.
Uganda is an ideal location for showcasing the booming development of aquaculture in East Africa. In addition to existing large scale aquaculture ventures flourishing along Lake Victoria, Uganda has a sizeable, small to medium scale aquaculture subsector. Some of the SME farms have become models for sustainable practises on an African context as they are playing a key role in the country’s local food fish production but also assures the viability of aquafeeds supply chains. Having seen the great potential the country has, a number of large-scale aquafeeds factories are being established in Uganda. WA25 trade show is expected to feature nearly 150 exhibition booths.
Overall, Uganda – known as the “Pearl of Africa,” is ready to offer international visitors its diverse and unique tourism experiences and cultural explorations. The country boasts wildlife safaris including, natural landscapes, game reserves, gorilla trekking, birdwatching and – not forgetting the source of the mighty Nile River, and much more!. The country’s main urban centres especially in Kampala and Entebbe have a lot to offer for enthusiast travellers – from local cultural experiences to traditional, mouthwatering cuisines. Uganda stands ready to give you various adventure activities that will leave you amazed throughout your stay!.
The WA25 Conference dates are 24-27 June 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Entebbe (www.spekeresort.com) – a world class conference and exhibition facility on the shoreline of Lake Victoria.
Registrations and submission of abstracts are still open. All conference details will be updated on the event page on https://www.was.org/meeting/code/afraq25. For all enquiries on WA25 Uganda contact worldaqua@was.org or africanchapter@was.org. For more information on the exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Worldaqua11@was.org or Etienne_Hinrichsen@landell-mills.com
