Through various initiatives and partnerships, the Strategic Program for the Transformation of Aquaculture in Côte d’Ivoire (PSTACI) is building a resilient value chain and opening new economic opportunities for youth.

To date, 76 young people have already been trained under the Aquajeunes project, a key initiative of PSTACI. The trainees include 17 from the Poro region, 29 from Tchologo, 20 from Gbêkê, and 10 from the village of Koubi (Tiébissou). These young people will be among the driving forces of the emerging aquaculture sector.

The 29 participants from the Tchologo region received their training certificates during the second ordinary session of the Tchologo Regional Council. The President of the Council, Téné Birahima Ouattara, encouraged the youth to seize this opportunity and become role models in the aquaculture development of the region.

“Beyond training and setting them up, we want these young people to become ambassadors of Ivorian aquaculture, technical and economic reference points in their regions. In close collaboration with the Regional Councils, we aim to institutionalize this synergy between the State and local governments to make aquaculture a regional development lever that generates income, employment, and social stability,” emphasized Emmanuel Assoumany Gouromenan, Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources, speaking on behalf of Minister Sidi Tiémoko Touré.

The Aquajeunes project, one of PSTACI’s flagship programs, was launched in partnership with regional councils. It aims to be inclusive, structured, and sustainable. In 2023, Côte d’Ivoire’s fish demand was nearly 730,000 tons, while national production met less than 15% of that need.

“It must be clearly stated that the State alone cannot cover the production shortfall,” said Modibo Samaké, General Coordinator of PSTACI. The implementation team’s goal has been to structure and professionalize the sector to attract investors to this promising field, which offers a profit margin of 80 to 100%.

PSTACI, through the Aquajeunes project, plans to train 3,000 young people from all regions of the country. The project’s objective is to encourage and train youth in fish farming in order to create production zones nationwide. The training includes a three-week theoretical phase and a five-week practical phase. “With this project, we are creating vocations in fish farming. The youth are trained, supported, and even installed to become local champions,” said Modibo Samaké, stressing the value chain of the sector. Aquajeunes aims to become a center of excellence, giving young people the opportunity to contribute to food security in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Loka and Koubi sites managed by PSTACI, where trainees receive their instruction, demonstrate that professionalization using modern techniques can help build an essential sector for food security.

The hatcheries produce approximately one million fingerlings annually to supply the 62 ponds in Koubi. These ponds produce about 2,500 tons of tilapia each year. The hatcheries also provide high-quality fingerlings to other producers upon request. “This project taught me a lot from setting up the ponds to selecting fingerlings and raising the fish to market size,” shared trainee Yvonne Ouattara.

Beyond food security, the program is also a major source of employment for youth across the entire value chain. PSTACI officials regularly call on government agencies supporting youth empowerment to explore this sector and help young people succeed in aquaculture.