• Rwanda’s fish production rose 9% in 2025 to 52,439 tonnes

• Growth driven by aquaculture investment, hatcheries and farmer training

• Sector on track for 77,700-tonne output target by 2029

Rwanda’s fish production from aquaculture and capture fisheries rose 9% year on year to 52,439 tonnes in 2025, according to an annual report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources on Dec. 31.

The increase extends a steady upward trend that began in 2020, when output stood at 32,756 tonnes. Production has risen every year since, reflecting a sustained expansion of capacity.

Authorities attribute the growth mainly to increased investment in aquaculture, including expanded hatchery capacity, the structuring of producers into cooperatives, and improved access to inputs. Fingerling production reached 71.6 million in 2025, up 36% from 52.8 million a year earlier.

Capacity-building efforts were also stepped up during the 2025 fiscal year, with training programs covering fish feeding, disease control, and marketing. In total, 1,737 fish farmers, including 57 facilitators and 1,680 members of cluster cooperatives, received training in good aquaculture practices. A further 26 farmers were trained in the use of black soldier flies for fish feed production, the report said.

The sector’s current momentum puts Rwanda on track to meet the government’s targets under its fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation, which aims to raise annual fish production to 77,700 tonnes by 2029.

Raising output remains critical to reducing import dependence and meeting rising demand for animal protein. Annual per capita fish consumption has already increased by 53%, climbing from 2.62 kg in 2018 to 4 kg in 2023, official data show.

Stéphanas Assocle