%20(1).png "Rwanda’s Aquaculture Revolution: 2023–2035 Strategy and Its Impact on Fish Farmers")
Imagine a country with 101 lakes, 861 rivers, and 860 marshlands — yet one where the average person eats less than 2.5 kilograms of fish per year. That is Rwanda today. But that is about to change.
In May 2023, Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) officially launched the National Aquaculture Strategy for Rwanda (NASR) 2023–2035 — the country's most ambitious fisheries roadmap ever written. Developed with the support of Gatsby Africa and Poseidon Aquatic Resources Management Ltd., this 12-year strategy doesn't just set production targets. It reimagines the entire fish farming value chain from fingerling to fork. Check on MINAGRI
Whether you are a smallholder fish farmer running a pond in Southern Province, an agribusiness investor eyeing cage culture in Lake Kivu, or simply a student trying to understand where Rwanda's agriculture sector is headed, this article breaks down what the NASR 2023–2035 really means — in plain language, with real numbers, and with actionable insights you won't find summarised anywhere else.
What Is the National Aquaculture Strategy for Rwanda (NASR) 2023–2035?
The NASR 2023–2035 is Rwanda's medium-term national blueprint for transforming fish farming from a largely subsistence activity into a modern, commercially driven sector. It covers the entire aquaculture value chain — from production inputs like feeds and fingerlings, through farming operations, all the way to post-harvest processing and market access. Check on MINAGRI
Importantly, the strategy does not cover wild capture fisheries. Its exclusive focus is on farmed fish production. The rationale is clear: wild fisheries in Rwanda are limited. The country actually has some of the fewest native fish species in the region, partly because Lake Kivu's drainage shifted southward when the Virunga Mountains formed millions of years ago, cutting it off from the more species-rich Nile River system. Check on Hatchery International. With wild stocks under pressure, aquaculture is the only path to food security.
Why This Strategy Exists: Rwanda's aquaculture output grew from just 500 tonnes in 2012 to approximately 4,900 tonnes in 2021 — a remarkable increase, but still far short of what a country of 14 million people needs. The NASR exists to close that gap systematically and sustainably. Check on MINAGRI
.png "\"Rwanda Aquaculture Zones – Lake Kivu, Muhazi, and Wetland Pond Farms\"")
Rwanda's Fish Production: Where We Stand in 2025
Let's start with the numbers, because they tell a story of real — if uneven — progress. Fish production in Rwanda has followed a clear upward trajectory over the past decade:
What these numbers reveal is important: Rwanda is making progress, but the targets remain ambitious. The previous PSTA4 strategy (2018–2024) aimed for 112,000 tonnes annually by 2024. That target was not achieved — partly because of expensive feeds and seeds, policy gaps, and inadequate extension services. The NASR 2023–2035 was designed specifically to address these gaps, with a revised, more realistic approach. Check more on Rwanda: Fish Production Targets Revised As Govt Records Slight Increase.
💡 Context Check: Rwanda's per capita fish consumption currently sits at around 2.1 kg per year (Source:MINAGRI). The Sub-Saharan African average is 6.6 kg, and the global average is 20.7 kg (Source: Independent Uganda.) Fish is not just a food preference — it is a nutrition emergency hiding in plain sight.
The 5 Strategic Pillars of the NASR 2023–2035
The NASR is not just a production target. It is built on five interconnected pillars that, together, aim to create a self-sustaining, commercially viable aquaculture sector by 2035. Here is what each pillar means in practice:
Scaling Up Production
The strategy targets total fish availability of over 106,000 metric tonnes by 2035 — with 80,620 tonnes from aquaculture and 26,000 from wild fisheries. This means approximately a 20-fold increase in farmed fish output compared to 2021 levels.[5,9]
Localising Feeds and Seeds
One of the biggest cost barriers for fish farmers has been the price of quality fingerlings and commercial fish feed. The strategy prioritises locally manufactured inputs, including breeding centres and feed mills, to cut dependence on expensive imports. Check on MINAGRI
Building Technical Skills at Every Level
From Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to university-level aquaculture degrees in partnership with Rwanda TVET Board and Karongi TVET, the strategy makes human capital development a priority from day one.[4,6]
Strengthening the Value Chain
The strategy addresses post-harvest losses, market linkages, processing, and cold chain infrastructure — making sure the increased production actually reaches consumers at affordable prices and generates sustainable income for farmers.
Governance, Regulation & Private Sector Co-Management
A public-private partnership model sits at the heart of the NASR. The government will progressively phase out direct financial support as the sector matures, allowing private investors to lead commercial operations while RAB focuses on regulation and quality assurance.[1]
Fish Species at the Centre of Rwanda's Strategy
Rwanda's aquaculture sector is not trying to farm every species under the sun. The NASR is deliberately focused on a shortlist of commercially viable species that can be reared profitably using locally available feed ingredients. Here is what farmers are working with:
Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) — The Flagship Species
Nile tilapia is by far the most important fish in Rwanda's aquaculture strategy. It grows well in Rwanda's lake temperatures, tolerates a range of water quality conditions, and commands strong market demand. The tilapia farms at Gishanda Fish Farm in Kayonza — a state-of-the-art Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) powered by solar energy — are producing between 1 million and 1.5 million tilapia fingerlings annually to supply the country's hatcheries.[3] Research at the new national breeding centre in Nyamagabe District is also focused specifically on genetic improvement of Nile tilapia, aiming to develop strains that grow faster in Rwanda's conditions.[5,9]
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and North African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
These two species complement tilapia in Rwanda's pond farming systems. Common carp, introduced from Israel in 1960, is particularly popular in Northern and Southern Province pond farms. Catfish is valued for its hardiness and its ability to thrive in lower water quality conditions — making it a good fit for smallholder earthen ponds with less intensive management.[10,15]
.png "\"Nile tilapia fingerlings in a hatchery tank at a Rwanda fish farm — the primary species in Rwanda's 2023-2035 aquaculture strategy\"")
The 3 Production Systems You Need to Understand
The NASR recognises that aquaculture in Rwanda is not one-size-fits-all. Three distinct farming systems are being scaled up, each suited to different land types, investment levels, and farmer profiles:
| Production System | Scale | Key Feature | 2035 Role in Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthen Pond Farming | 324 hectares | Low-cost entry for smallholders; wetland-based; semi-intensive management | ~13% of aquaculture output[1] |
| Cage / Pen Culture in Lakes | 59,390 cubic metres | Intensive floating cages in lakes; high density; private sector driven | ~74% (large cages) + 9% (small cages) of aquaculture output[1] |
| Dam-Based Aquaculture | 41 dams / 31.3 million m³ | Community reservoirs; dual use (irrigation + fish production) | Supplementary production and food security[14] |
What Does This Mean for You as a Fish Farmer?
If you are a smallholder with limited capital, earthen pond farming remains your most accessible entry point. The government has mapped 324 hectares of suitable wetland areas, and extension support is being strengthened. If you are an investor with access to a lakeshore, cage culture in Lake Kivu or Lake Muhazi represents the highest-growth opportunity — the strategy projects cage farms will deliver nearly 83% of total aquaculture output by 2035.
What the NASR 2023–2035 Directly Means for Fish Farmers
Policies are written for governments. But strategies create real opportunities — or real risks — for the men and women actually farming fish. Here is a grounded assessment of what the NASR means for fish farmers on the ground:
Access to Better Fingerlings — At Lower Cost
One of the most consistent complaints from Rwandan fish farmers has been the cost and poor quality of fingerlings. The NASR addresses this directly through the construction of a National Research and Breeding Centre in Nyamagabe District, which is expected to produce between 1 million and 3 million high-quality broodstock per year once fully operational. This will make quality fingerlings more available — and eventually more affordable — across the country.
Check more Rwanda Moves to Boost Research in Aquaculture, Cut Fish Imports.
Skills Training Through Farmer Field Schools
In the 2023/24 season alone, 1,737 fish farmers received training on aquaculture best practices — including 57 facilitators now equipped to support peer education, and 26 farmers trained specifically in using Black Soldier Flies (BSF) for sustainable fish feed formulation. RAB is scaling up Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in collaboration with Rwanda TVET Board, offering training from short courses (3–6 months) to full diplomas, bachelor's, and master's degrees in aquaculture.
Check more Rwanda to Launch Program to Bridge Practical Skills Gap in Aquaculture.
Insurance and Financial Access
Fish farming has historically been seen as a high-risk investment in Rwanda. The government has since introduced a fish farming insurance scheme to protect farmers against losses, making it easier to access credit and attract smallholder investment into the sector.[9]
.png "\"Cage Fish Farming on Rwanda's Lakes – NASR 2023–2035 Production System\"")
Investment Opportunities in Rwanda's Aquaculture Sector
The NASR 2023–2035 is unambiguous about one thing: the private sector must lead. Government will create the enabling environment — regulation, research, training — but commercial fish production must be driven by private investment. This creates real entry points for investors:
Fish Feed Manufacturing
High-quality fish feed remains one of the most expensive inputs in Rwanda's aquaculture value chain, with feed prices in East Africa increasing by up to 30% over recent years due to global supply chain disruptions (FAO, 2024). A locally owned feed mill serving Rwanda's growing fish farms would address a genuine market gap that the NASR explicitly prioritises. Check on the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024: Blue Transformation in Action.
Private Hatchery Operations
The national breeding centre in Nyamagabe will supply broodstock, but private hatcheries will be needed to convert that broodstock into the millions of fingerlings required by commercial farms. This is a government-identified gap with direct support pathways through RAB.[5]
Cold Chain and Processing
Post-harvest losses are a significant problem for Rwandan fish production. Investment in cold storage, ice-making, processing facilities, and refrigerated transport along the Lake Kivu–Kigali corridor represents a high-demand, underserved market segment.
Cage Culture on Lakes Kivu and Muhazi
The NASR projects that large cage farms will deliver approximately 74% of Rwanda's aquaculture output by 2035 — making lake cage culture the single biggest growth segment. RAB has been streamlining licensing for cage operations, and investors can engage directly with MINAGRI and RAB for site allocation on public water bodies.
📖 Learn how to access financing for your aquaculture or agribusiness project through our guide Rwanda Agricultural Financing 2026: How to Access the IRS Scheme for MSMEs and Cooperatives — a practical breakdown of available funding for fish farmers and cooperatives.
Challenges Facing Rwanda's Fish Farmers — And How the Strategy Responds
No strategy is complete without an honest look at what it is up against. The NASR was developed precisely because multiple previous targets went unmet. Here are the key structural challenges — and how the 2023–2035 roadmap addresses each one:
Challenge 1: Rwanda's Cool Climate and High Elevation
Rwanda's average altitude of 1,500 metres above sea level means water temperatures are cooler than coastal African countries, slowing fish growth rates — particularly for tilapia, which thrives in warmer water. The NASR addresses this by focusing research on selecting cold-tolerant tilapia strains and promoting lake cage farming at lower-altitude water bodies where temperatures are more favourable.MINAGRI, 2023
Challenge 2: Expensive Feeds and Seeds
The single biggest cost for fish farmers — and the reason previous targets were missed — is the high price of commercial fish feed and quality fingerlings. The NASR responds by investing in local feed manufacturing capacity and the Nyamagabe breeding centre, and by promoting alternative protein sources like Black Soldier Fly larvae as feed ingredients.
Check on Rwanda: Fish Production Targets Revised As Govt Records Slight Increase
Challenge 3: Weak Technical Skills
Rwanda currently lacks dedicated fishing schools, and most fish farmers have never received formal training in aquaculture science. The NASR makes skills development one of its core pillars, working with Rwanda TVET, Karongi TVET, and Farmer Field Schools to build competence from village level to professional level.
Check on Aquaculture and Aquafeed in Rwanda: Gender and Cooperative Analysis
Challenge 4: Gender Imbalance in the Sector
Research shows that 79% of fish farm managers in Rwanda are male, and women are largely confined to downstream, post-harvest roles in the aquaculture value chain.[15] A more equitable gender balance could improve farm management quality and household income. The NASR includes gender equity as a cross-cutting theme across its implementation framework.
.png "\"Women Fish Farmers in Rwanda – Cooperative Pond Management\"")
Rwanda's Aquaculture by the Numbers: 2025 Data Snapshot
For researchers, journalists, and investors who need hard data, here is a consolidated snapshot of Rwanda's fish sector as of 2025:
🌐 Global Context (FAO, 2024): Aquaculture now provides over 50% of all fish for human consumption worldwide and continues to grow as the dominant source of farmed protein. Rwanda joining this global shift is not just about food — it is about economic positioning for the next decade.
How to Get Started or Scale Your Fish Farm in Rwanda in 2025
If the strategy has convinced you that aquaculture is worth pursuing — or scaling — here is a practical starting framework:
Step 1: Choose Your Production System
Do you have wetland land access? Start with earthen pond farming — lower capital, easier to manage. Do you have access to a lakeshore or reservoir? Cage culture offers faster growth cycles and higher yields per unit of water surface. The strategy's three systems cater to all investment sizes.
Step 2: Register With RAB and Join a Cooperative
Over 60% of Rwanda's fish farms operate under cooperatives, which opens access to group financing, bulk input purchasing, and group extension services. Registering with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) connects you to official training programs, licensing, and support networks. Check on quaculture and Aquafeed in Rwanda: Gender and Cooperative Analysis
Step 3: Access Financing
The government's Input by Refinancing Scheme (IRS) and newly introduced fish farming insurance products are designed specifically for small-to-medium fish farmers. Check our full guide on Rwanda Agricultural Financing 2026 for step-by-step details on how to apply.
Step 4: Invest in Training
Enrol in a Farmer Field School (FFS) through RAB or apply to Karongi TVET for a structured aquaculture certificate program. The 2023/24 season saw 57 trained facilitators now supporting community-level peer education — ask your district agricultural office how to connect.
Step 5: Plan Your Feed and Fingerling Supply Chain
With the Gishanda Fish Farm now producing up to 1.5 million tilapia fingerlings annually, supply is improving. Contact RAB directly for fingerling sourcing partnerships, and explore local feed ingredient alternatives — including rice bran, wheat bran, and maize bran, all identified as common and viable feed components in Rwanda.
📌 Also Useful on FarmXpert Group: If you are integrating livestock with fish farming — a cost-efficient model gaining traction in Rwanda — read our complete guide: Integrated Livestock and Fish Farming Guide 2025. It walks through exactly how pond systems can benefit from livestock manure — cutting feed costs significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda's Aquaculture Strategy
The strategy aims to produce over 106,000 metric tonnes of fish in Rwanda by 2035, with 80,620 tonnes coming specifically from aquaculture and 26,000 tonnes from wild capture fisheries. This would represent a roughly 20-fold increase in farmed fish output from 2021 levels.
Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the flagship species, alongside common carp and North African catfish. The strategy focuses on species that grow well in Rwanda's climate and can be fed using locally available ingredients.
Yes. The NASR explicitly supports all scales of aquaculture — from subsistence pond farms to large industrial cage operations. Farmer Field Schools, subsidised inputs, and cooperative support structures are all designed to include smallholders.
The Gishanda Fish Farm in Kayonza and other certified hatcheries across Rwanda (in Rwamagana, Rwasave, Kigembe, and satellite hatcheries in 7 districts) supply fingerlings. For feed, contact RAB for approved commercial feed suppliers and local ingredient sourcing guidance.
Profitability varies significantly by system and management intensity. Cage culture in lakes offers the highest yields but requires more capital. Pond farming is accessible but requires good feed and water management discipline. With government support improving and input costs expected to decrease as local supply grows, conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for profitable fish farming. Check on Rwanda: Fish Production Targets Revised As Govt Records Slight Increase
Rwanda's Fish Future Is Being Written Now
Rwanda's 2023–2035 National Aquaculture Strategy is not a distant government document gathering dust on a shelf. It is an active blueprint that is already creating opportunities — and already changing lives — across Rwanda's fish farming communities. From the new breeding centre in Nyamagabe to the solar-powered tilapia hatchery in Kayonza, from Farmer Field Schools in Western Province to cage farms expanding across Lake Kivu, the aquaculture revolution is underway.
But strategies succeed or fail based on the people who implement them. If you are a fish farmer, cooperative leader, investor, or agribusiness professional in Rwanda, the window to position yourself within this rapidly growing sector is now — before the easy plots are taken, before feed manufacturing capacity is fully built out, and before cage culture sites on Rwanda's lakes are fully allocated.
The global trajectory is clear too. According to the FAO's State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024, aquaculture already provides more than 50% of all fish for human consumption worldwide, and that share is growing. Rwanda joining this global wave of blue food production is not just possible — it is happening.
Your Next Step Starts Here
Did this article help you understand Rwanda's aquaculture opportunity? Share it with a farmer, cooperative, or investor who needs to know. Explore more expert content on FarmXpert Group — and if you have a fish farming story to tell, we want to hear it.
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