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A workshop was organised to align national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and agricultural investment plans with the PFRS. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Event News

The African Union's Policy Framework and Reform Strategy (PFRS) for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa aims to advance the continent’s blue economy

The initiative is a coherent continental roadmap for policy reform and investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. It has been instrumental in guiding AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and Fisheries Bodies to strengthen governance, institutional frameworks, and climate resilience in aquatic food systems.

A Stakeholder Consultation and Validation Workshop was hosted recently in Lusaka, Zambia, by AU-IBAR in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock of the Republic of Zambia. The workshop seeks to align national fisheries and aquaculture strategies and agricultural investment plans with the PFRS, while integrating relevant global and regional instruments and addressing climate change adaptation.

"We aim to grow our annual fish output to 225,000 metric tonnes by 2026 by scaling up fingerling production and enhancing monitoring and surveillance systems," said Fred Mwila, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. 

Representing the AU-IBAR Director, Patricia Lumba, said, “The PFRS and the Africa Blue Economy Strategy are not just policy tools—they are instruments of transformation for communities, economies, and ecosystems across Africa.”
Over the four-day workshop, stakeholders—including government officials, regional bodies, researchers, and consultants—are reviewing findings from national consultations on policy coherence with the PFRS. They are also making specific recommendations for the domestication of global instruments, such as those related to biodiversity, food safety, and small-scale fisheries. Discussions are being held in breakout sessions and plenary formats, focusing on improving national agricultural investment plans (NAIPs), ensuring climate-smart approaches, and identifying legal and institutional reforms needed to implement the PFRS effectively.

Nigeria's annual milk production is 700,000 tonnes. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Cattle

With an aim to double milk production over the next five years, Nigeria has begun importing dairy cattle from Denmark, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha announced

While Nigeria is known to have considerable cattle populations, its annual milk production is limited to 700,000 tonnes — less than half of its 1.6 million-tonne demand. As a result, around 60% of the country’s dairy needs are met through imports.

"Our goal is ambitious but achievable," says Maiha. “We aim to double Nigeria's milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years."

In a further move to modernise the sector, eight new pasture species — the first in nearly five decades — have been registered, while a national strategy for animal genetic resources has been rolled out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

“With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero — we are building from strength,” Maiha said.

Egypt is actively working to boost its position in the international agriculture market. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Agriculture

Citrus fruits and potatoes led Egypt’s export crops as the country recorded 5.2 million tonnes in agriculture exports during the first half of the year

Alaa Farouk, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, noted that their distinguished quality drove the export of approximately 1.8 million tonnes of citrus fruits, followed by potatoes at 1.2 million tonnes. 

Other major exports included 168,000 tonnes of fresh onions, 136,000 tonnes of fresh and dry beans, and 103,000 tonnes of sweet potatoes, which ranked fifth. More items in the export list included grapes, strawberries, garlic, tomatoes, guavas and pomegranates.

Egypt is actively working to boost its position in the international agriculture market, and is fostering collaboration between farmers, producers, and exporters to make it effective. The Ministry is focusing on achieveing the highest standards of quality and food safety to unlock new markets at a global scale. 

Zoomlion showcases tailored solutions for Africa’s growth at China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. (Image source: Zoomlion)

Technology

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co., Ltd. took centre stage at the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, China, from 12 to 15 June, showcasing its latest agricultural and engineering machinery solutions tailored specifically for the African market

Since making its entry into Africa in 2007, Zoomlion has played an integral role in infrastructure development and agricultural modernisation across the continent. The company has also been committed to nurturing local talent, evident in its ongoing technical training programs, such as those provided to Ugandan farmers to enhance agricultural skill sets.

At the trade expo, Zoomlion displayed a comprehensive line-up of machinery, ranging from construction cranes and earthmoving equipment to aerial work platforms and advanced agricultural machinery. These products are engineered to withstand and perform efficiently in Africa’s diverse and often demanding working conditions.

Zoomlion’s footprint in Africa has expanded significantly over the past 18 years. The company has delivered more than 10,000 units of equipment to markets across the continent, establishing itself as one of Africa’s leading machinery suppliers. In addition to setting up subsidiaries in key markets like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Tanzania, Zoomlion has developed a robust after-sales infrastructure. This includes spare parts centres in Algeria and South Africa, a joint-venture manufacturing plant in Algeria, and an expanding network of dealers and service providers across the region.

The company has also been instrumental in supporting critical infrastructure projects throughout Africa. These include Egypt’s New Administrative Capital—home to Africa’s tallest skyscraper at 385.8 metres—the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Tanzania, which boosts the country’s energy capacity nearly fourfold, and the N'Djamena Stadium in Chad, designed to host international sports and cultural events. Another notable contribution is the Rosso Bridge, linking Senegal and Mauritania, which will enhance regional trade and connectivity.

Zoomlion’s growth trajectory in Africa continues to accelerate. Sales in the first quarter of 2025 alone accounted for 60% of the total recorded in 2024, underlining rising demand for its solutions. As of May 2025, the company’s Africa team comprised over 300 employees, with more than 90% of them being locally hired—demonstrating Zoomlion’s commitment to job creation and skills development in the region.

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