Africa: Africa Can't Build a Blue Economy Without the Women Who Bring Its Fish to Market

What the report says

An African Arguments analysis distributed by AllAfrica argues that women who process and sell fish are essential to the continent’s blue economy, yet remain largely invisible in policy and funding decisions. The piece is written by Lovin Kobusingye of Uganda, who identifies herself as a fish processor and leader in the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET). It says women make up more than a quarter of the 12.3 million people working in African fisheries and 58 percent of fish processors.

The article points to a July meeting of African ministers in Luanda, where leaders promised at least 40 percent representation for women, youth and local communities in blue economy advisory bodies and financing programmes. It says the African Union Commission is expected to develop a roadmap to implement that pledge, but stresses that women fish processors and traders must be specifically named if the promise is to have practical effect. The author argues that many countries still measure fisheries only by activity on the water, leaving women in processing and trade excluded from budgets, investment and credit.

The commentary also highlights wider pressures on fish stocks, including illegal fishing, climate change, pollution, mining runoff and shrinking mangroves. It cites examples of women-led fisheries management in The Gambia and Ghana, where oyster harvesters won management rights and introduced seasonal closures and habitat restoration. The article says simple technologies such as raised drying racks and solar tent dryers can reduce post-harvest losses, but need financing.

Overall, the piece calls for blue economy funding to reach women without requiring land titles, which many lack, and for governments to count their role across the full value chain.