Between the rise of high-productivity techniques like Maga’s floating cages and the government’s imperative to substitute imports, aquaculture is now emerging as the new « white oil ».
Sanaga, Nyong, Bénoué, Moungo, Ntem. In Cameroon, geography isn’t just learned from maps; it’s read along the waterways. With a toponymy where the majority of the 58 departments take their name from a watercourse, the country carries an unparalleled hydrographic promise in its DNA. Yet, behind this dense network of 35,000 km² of exploitable waterways, a paradox persists: the country invests hundreds of billions of CFA francs each year to import frozen fish. Aquaculture is emerging as the new white oil of a nation striving for sovereignty.
Cameroon’s aquaculture potential is no longer just wishful thinking. From the 420 km of coastline along the Littoral region to the vast reservoirs of the Far North, each ecosystem offers a specific niche. Where tilapia and catfish reign supreme, techniques are evolving. The family subsistence pond is gradually giving way to high-productivity methods. In Maga, floating cages are transforming reservoirs into
hubs of intensive production, while in the South and West, modern hatcheries are attempting to address the shortage of fingerlings.
This dynamism is driven by strategic initiatives such as the Livestock and Fish Farming Value Chain Development Project (PD-CVEP). This government initiative does more than simply distribute support; it structures a sector that, from the mangroves of the Southwest to the plains of the Far North, is finally beginning to believe in its capacity to feed the country.
The Employment Basin: Youth Along the Water
Aquaculture is currently one of the most promising sectors for reducing unemployment. It’s not just about « raising fish »; it’s an entire ecosystem of jobs that is emerging. From hatchery management to local feed production, including cold chain logistics and processing, the opportunities are numerous. In the Far North, women’s associations have already taken the lead by producing local fish feed from agricultural by-products, thus creating income where precariousness once reigned. For the younger generation of graduates, the sector offers a concrete alternative to urban migration. Starting a fish farm in 2026 means becoming a land and water entrepreneur, trained in oxygenation and quality control techniques, far removed from the outdated image of the isolated small-scale producer.
The Industrial Imperative: Stop the Foreign Currency Flight
The ultimate goal is macroeconomic. The Cameroonian government, under the leadership of the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA), has made « import substitution » its priority. The objective is clear: to replace imported fish with « Made in Cameroon » production. But for local fish to be competitive against frozen products from Asia or Europe, industrialization is essential. The real revolution lies in the production of extruded feed. Since feed costs represent nearly 70% of a farm’s expenses, the creation of local industrial units is an absolute necessity. Private investors, such as Fish&Co, are leading the way with integrated projects that include hatcheries and feed mills, benefiting from attractive tax breaks.
However, the path to abundance remains fraught with obstacles. A lack of funding tailored to aquaculture’s biological cycles and the slow dissemination of technological innovations are further hindering progress. The challenge for 2026 is scaling up: transforming these thousands of small initiatives into a cohesive industrial powerhouse. Ultimately, Cameroonian toponymy has shown us the way. By naming our departments after our rivers, our ancestors reminded us that our wealth flows through our fingers. It is up to us to ensure that these waters are no
longer merely geographical markers, but the inexhaustible sources of shared prosperity. Aquaculture is no longer an option; it is Cameroon’s destiny for food security.
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