Tilapia farming and animal welfare in Africa: a shift for both fish & farmers

The Nile tilapia is one of Africa’s most important farmed fish species, and the sector is growing rapidly. But while production has expanded, one crucial element is often missing: animal welfare.

Poor water quality, overcrowding, disease and poor handling practices can lead to high mortality, reduced growth and financial loss for farmers. Welfare is often seen as a “nice to have” rather than an essential part of production. Our initiative has been working to change that narrative.

Transforming Tilapia Farming Through Animal Welfare Innovation

In collaboration with FAI , the University of Nairobi (uonbi) / Chuo Kikuu cha Nairobi and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), we’ve rolled out a welfare-focused approach to tilapia aquaculture that is both practical and scalable.

At the centre of the project is FAI’s Tilapia Welfare App, a smartphone tool that helps farmers monitor key indicators including water quality, behaviour, health and feeding. The app gives farmers instant feedback and supports them to identify problems early – before they lead to losses.

Alongside this, FAI is delivering free online training through the FAI Academy, along with hands-on field training for farmers and extension officers. More than 200 farmers in Kenya have already been trained, and welfare assessments have been completed on over 40 farms.

Early Wins: How Fish Welfare Improves Farmer Outcomes

The early results are promising. Farmers are reporting fewer mortalities, improved productivity and greater confidence in farm management. The goal now is to scale up the work, with rollouts planned across Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia and other tilapia-producing countries.

Animal Welfare Meets Economics in African Aquaculture

It’s a shift that isn’t just about ethics – it’s about economics. Fish that are kept in better conditions tend to grow more efficiently, require fewer treatments and generate higher yields. Welfare and profitability do not have to be opposing goals, they can be complementary.

The project is also generating valuable baseline data. Real-time welfare information from farms across Africa will contribute to new evidence-based guidelines for tilapia welfare and better decision-making at industry and policy levels.

Building a Farmer-Led Model for Fish Welfare in Africa

Our approach is rooted in local partnerships. By working with African universities and research institutes, and tailoring tools to the needs of small-scale farmers, the initiative ensures that solutions are relevant and realistic.

Tilapia farming in Africa is expanding. By embedding welfare now, the sector has the opportunity to grow not just bigger – but better. With the right tools, training and data, farmers can protect their fish, strengthen their businesses, and lead the way for a more responsible aquaculture industry.

This is what the future of ethical aquaculture looks like: science-based, farmer-led and built on welfare from the start.