Ivory Coast Boosts Fisheries And Aquaculture Funding With 24% Budget Increase For 2026
The government of Côte d’Ivoire has substantially increased its financial commitment to the livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors by raising the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources (MIRAH) budget by 24% for the 2026 fiscal year. The Economic and Financial Affairs Committee approved a budget of 26.7 billion CFA francs (approximately US$46.9 million), signalling intensified efforts to bolster these crucial industries.
The fisheries development and management program commands the largest share of the budget, receiving 42% or about US$19.5 million. The rest will be channeled towards animal production initiatives and veterinary public health programs. These allocations align with the objectives established under the National Development Plan 2026-2030, which focuses on sustainable growth, food security, and economic advancement.
Despite this budget increase, the ministry faces ongoing challenges in meeting the ambitious production targets set out in the National Policy for the Development of Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PONADEPA) 2022-2026. The policy aims to achieve a combined fisheries and aquaculture output of 280,000 tonnes annually from 2026 onwards—significantly higher than the current production levels.
Official statistics indicate that local fisheries production amounted to just 92,700 tonnes in 2024. This vast shortfall forces Côte d’Ivoire to rely heavily on imports, which reached nearly 732,400 tonnes in the same year, costing the country an estimated 518.5 billion CFA francs (US$910.8 million), according to the General Directorate of Customs.
By prioritising fisheries within the increased 2026 budget, the government intends to enhance natural resource management and scale up aquaculture operations. These measures aim to reduce the country’s dependence on expensive fish imports and satisfy the rising demand for animal protein driven by population growth and urbanisation.
FFA Explainer Box: Aquaculture refers to the controlled breeding, rearing, and harvesting of aquatic animals and plants, such as fish and shellfish, in freshwater or marine environments.
Côte d’Ivoire’s strategy coincides with regional trends recognising the pivotal role of fisheries and aquaculture not only in food security but also in creating rural employment, improving nutrition, and generating export earnings.
Drawing lessons from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe, where government interventions have focused on sustainable trout farming and support for fish farmers, Côte d’Ivoire’s enhanced budget demonstrates proactive policymaking that could serve as a blueprint for developing fisheries across Africa.
Ultimately, the 24% budget increase for MIRAH in 2026 reflects Côte d’Ivoire’s commitment to transforming its fisheries and aquaculture sectors into engines of socio-economic development that contribute to the broader goals set out in continental frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
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