Fisheries & Aquaculture
Fisheries & Aquaculture
Business Model Description
Invest in fisheries and aquaculture in Angola, which involves establishing hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants to create a sustainable vertical integration from breeding to retail. Hatcheries raise fish in their early stages, feed mills produce specialized food for optimal fish growth, and processing plants prepare fish for retail and export. Investors can secure land and permits by partnering with local businesses and government bodies. Prioritizing tilapia and catfish cultivation meets local and export needs. This can be a sustainable business model because it ensures that each stage of the production process is optimized for efficiency and environmental responsibility. Additionally, including marginalized groups in the business model through targeted training, support, and associative programs can ensure these communities benefit directly from the growth in the aquaculture sector.
Expected Impact
Create jobs, enhance food security, empower marginalized communities, and mitigate environmental degradation.
How is this information gathered?
Investment opportunities with potential to contribute to sustainable development are based on country-level SDG Investor Maps.
Disclaimer
UNDP, the Private Finance for the SDGs, and their affiliates (collectively “UNDP”) do not seek or solicit investment for programmes, projects, or opportunities described on this site (collectively “Programmes”) or any other Programmes, and nothing on this page should constitute a solicitation for investment. The actors listed on this site are not partners of UNDP, and their inclusion should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation by UNDP for any relationship or investment.
The descriptions on this page are provided for informational purposes only. Only companies and enterprises that appear under the case study tab have been validated and vetted through UNDP programmes such as the Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV), Business Call to Action (BCtA), or through other UN agencies. Even then, under no circumstances should their appearance on this website be construed as an endorsement for any relationship or investment. UNDP assumes no liability for investment losses directly or indirectly resulting from recommendations made, implied, or inferred by its research. Likewise, UNDP assumes no claim to investment gains directly or indirectly resulting from trading profits, investment management, or advisory fees obtained by following investment recommendations made, implied, or inferred by its research.
Investment involves risk, and all investments should be made with the supervision of a professional investment manager or advisor. The materials on the website are not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any investment, security, or commodity, nor shall any security be offered or sold to any person, in any jurisdiction in which such offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
Country & Regions
- Angola: Namibe
- Angola: Benguela
- Angola: Luanda
Sector Classification
Food and Beverage
Development need
Investing in sustainable agriculture is pivotal for tackling poverty and climate change. It's significantly effective in raising incomes among the poorest, with the World Bank highlighting its power to boost shared prosperity and meet future food security needs (1).
Policy priority
The government is prioritizing family farming, providing access to essential inputs for fundamental products, while also promoting commercial farming to foster innovation and productivity (2).
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Nearly 50% of family farm heads are in the 35-45 age range, with a significant representation of women, though they have lower educational levels. This indicates the need for gender-focused development in agricultural employment and education (29). Women have lower quality jobs than similarly-skilled men; 86% of employed women engaged in vulnerable jobs (defined as own-account workers and contributing family workers) compared to 67% of men (30). Given the global patterns in agriculture, it is likely that issues of access, equity, and income affect women, who often make up a large proportion of the agricultural workforce (31).
Investment opportunity introductions
Domestic consumption is growing and neighbouring countries can be a target market for export. Moreover, the country is rich in water sources. In 2022, the country exported beer, juices, and soft drinks for over USD 10 million (3).
Key bottlenecks introduction
Key bottlenecks in the agricultural may include vulnerability to climate change and climate shocks, low productivity and market access (4).
Food and Agriculture
Development need
Angola can be considered a regional water tower thanks to the numerous rivers that originate and flow across the country. Investment in aquaculture is encouraged to ensure sustainability and food security (5).
Policy priority
The government, partnering with various organizations, prioritized aquaculture development to combat hunger and malnutrition, focusing on sustainable practices. This initiative also aims to diversify the economy, currently reliant on crude oil exports (6).
Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Gender has a significant impact on the fishing industry. Women play crucial roles in various aspects of the industry, including pre-fishing and post-fishing activities, processing, marketing, and subsistence fishing (2).
Investment opportunity introduction
Angola's extensive coastline and workforce, plus strong trade links with key markets, position it well as global fish trade is projected to grow significantly by 2030 (6).
Key bottlenecks introduction
Angola's aquaculture growth is hindered by inadequate high-quality inputs and the young industry's limited technical capacity. The scarcity of quality local aquafeed, alongside the high costs and challenges of importing, poses significant obstacles (5).
Agricultural Products
Pipeline Opportunity
Fisheries & Aquaculture
Invest in fisheries and aquaculture in Angola, which involves establishing hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants to create a sustainable vertical integration from breeding to retail. Hatcheries raise fish in their early stages, feed mills produce specialized food for optimal fish growth, and processing plants prepare fish for retail and export. Investors can secure land and permits by partnering with local businesses and government bodies. Prioritizing tilapia and catfish cultivation meets local and export needs. This can be a sustainable business model because it ensures that each stage of the production process is optimized for efficiency and environmental responsibility. Additionally, including marginalized groups in the business model through targeted training, support, and associative programs can ensure these communities benefit directly from the growth in the aquaculture sector.
Business Case
Market Size and Environment
USD 100 million - USD 1 billion
5% - 10%
Angola has competitive advantages due to its vast coastal zone with high biological productivity. Its revenue in the fresh fish market, which is part of the broader industry, amounts to USD 0.83 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 7.54% from 2024 to 2028 (8).
Indicative Return
15% - 20%
The expected ROI reported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in its fisheries sector support project involving small scale fish processors and traders was 17.59% in the region (9).
Investment Timeframe
Medium Term (5–10 years)
For Tilapia farming in Ghana, a payback period of over 10 years is expected (10). Ghana has a more advanced fishing market than Angola given its processing system and high value exports (20). Therefore, Angola might offer high rewards for diversification projects with government support, yet faces challenges such as infrastructure development, market access and export development, which can extend the payback period.
Ticket Size
USD 1 million - USD 10 million
Market Risks & Scale Obstacles
Business - Supply Chain Constraints
Impact Case
Sustainable Development Need
Food security remains a challenge in Angola, particularly in the Southern provinces hit by climate change-induced droughts. Facing this challenge, the 2023-2027 National Development Plan (NDP) sets food security as one of the two major pillar of development planning. Food security is closely related with other two development challenges: income generation in rural areas, particularly smallholder farmers, and nutrition, particularly for children.
Gender & Marginalisation
Women have lower quality jobs than similarly-skilled men; 86% of employed women engaged in vulnerable jobs (defined as own-account workers and contributing family workers) compared to 67% of men (25).
The fisheries' sector is traditionally dominated by men in fishing activities and women in commercial activities related to fishing, with men controlling incomes and profits. Challenges concern sociocultural change in terms of division of labor (26).
Expected Development Outcome
Fisheries and aquaculture contribute to enhanced nutrition and food security in Angola through increased protein supply from expanded fish availability.
Fisheries and aquaculture contribute to reduced unemployment through jobs generated across the value chain.
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture contribute to preserved ecosystems through the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices
Gender & Marginalisation
Women account for up to 80% of the people involved in artisanal fish processing and marketing (11) and the intervention can hence empower women by providing them with employment opportunities.
The involvement of local communities in aquaculture activities can lead to improved livelihoods and the development of skills, potentially lifting communities out of poverty (11).
The development of hatcheries, feed mills, and processing plants creates jobs across the value chain, from fish farming and feed production to processing and retail, helping to reduce unemployment (12).
Primary SDGs addressed
2.4.1 Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
For 2020, 10% of the country’s arable land was under cultivation (23).
N/A
8.3.1 Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex
Proportion of informal employment in total employment for 2021 was 90% (24).
N/A
12.4.2 (a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment
Ongoing activities to collect data on hazardous waste (8).
N/A
14.2.1 Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
In 2022, the average proportion of Marine Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) covered by protected areas was 66.6% (22).
N/A
Secondary SDGs addressed
Directly impacted stakeholders
People
Gender inequality and/or marginalization
Planet
Corporates
Indirectly impacted stakeholders
People
Planet
Corporates
Public sector
Outcome Risks
Environmental degradation: Poorly managed aquaculture operations can lead to water pollution from feed and waste, affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems (13).
Large-scale fisheries and aquaculture facilities as well as overfishing can lead to ecosystem degradation and disruption of local ecosystems.
Impact Risks
Social and economic marginalization: In case investments are unsuccessful, this may retard the economic and social growth of local fishermen and further marginalize them due to lack of income and training.
Economic instability: If investments do not yield the expected economic growth or job creation, communities and entire regions can face economic instability. This could lead to increased poverty and reduced access to essential services.
Impact Classification
What
Increased sustainable production and export of especially tilapia and catfish, enhancing food security and economic growth.
Who
Local farmers, women, marginalized groups, private sector, and public institutions, focusing on rural communities.
Risk
In case investments are unsuccessful, this may retard the economic and social growth and regions can face economic instability. This could lead to increased poverty and marginalization.
Contribution
Investing in fisheries and aquaculture contributes to local economic development, sustainable aquaculture practices, and social inclusion by providing targeted training and support programs for marginalized communities.
How Much
Investing in fisheries and aquaculture aims to meet local fish demand and increase exports, potentially reducing Angola's fish import reliance and boosting the local economy, with marginalized groups being of the trained workforce in the mid term.
Impact Thesis
Create jobs, enhance food security, empower marginalized communities, and mitigate environmental degradation.
Enabling Environment
Policy Environment
The government is actively promoting fisheries and aquaculture through the National Plan for the Promotion of Fisheries (PLANAPESCAS). The AOA 144 billion (USD 170 million) allocated to this program aims to boost fish production and processing (8).
National Strategy and Action Plan for Biodiversity provides a national biodiversity plan for the fisheries sector and the sea, which include actions to be developed until 2025, including monitoring and surveillance of compliance with fishing quotas; and monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement (MCSE) in territorial waters (25).
Financial Environment
Other incentives: The Angolan Development Bank (BDA) has disbursed 96 billion kwanzas (USD 112 million) to finance 146 projects in the fisheries sector. Of the 146 projects approved, 123 are under implementation (28).
Regulatory Environment
The Lei No. 06-A-2004 Aquatic Biological Resources Law, as amended in 2005, provides the definition of the precautionary principle (Article 1(68)), as well as of “shared aquatic ecosystem”, defined as an aquatic ecosystem with established physical boundaries part of which is geographically located within more than one state (25).
Decreto No. 41–2005: Regulamento Geral da Pesca, which approves the General Fisheries Regulation (25).
Decreto Presidencial No. 177–2020, which approves the Statute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, specifying its attributions (25).
Marketplace Participants
Private Sector
Yraa Company, Sicopal, Solmar, Haishan Group.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Development Bank of Angola (BDA).
Multilaterals
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Target Locations
Angola: Namibe
Angola: Benguela
Angola: Luanda
References
- (1) Farmers Review Africa (2022). Angola has potential as a future agriculture powerhouse. Source: https://furtherafrica.com/2022/09/15/angola-has-potential-as-a-future-agriculture-powerh+AY73ouse-world-bank/.
- (2) Government of Angola (2023). Programa de Apoio à Produção, Diversificação das Exportações e Substituição das Importações. Source: https://governo.gov.ao/programa/prodesi.
- (3) General Tax Administration (AGT) 2022. External trade statistics.
- (4) World Economic Forum (2022). Angola's agricultural sector could become Africa's powerhouse. Here's why. Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/angola-agricultural-sector-powerhouse-of-africa/.
- (5) FAO (2016). Stepping up Aquaculture development and production in Angola. Source: https://www.fao.org/africa/news/detail-news/en/c/413268/.
- (6) UNCTAD (2023). Angola casts net wider to scale up fish exports. Source: https://unctad.org/news/angola-casts-net-wider-scale-fish-exports.
- (7) Sicopal (n.d.). Sobre nós. Source: https://www.sicopal.co.ao/quem-somos/.
- (8) Statista (2024). Fresh Fish - Angola. Source: https://fr.statista.com/outlook/cmo/food/fish-seafood/fresh-fish/angola?currency=USD.
- (9) African Development Fund (2013). Fisheries sector support project. Source: https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/Angola_-_Fisheries_Sector_Support_Project_-_Appraisal_Report.pdf.
- (10) FAO (2017). Social and economic performance of tilapia farming in Africa. Source: https://www.fao.org/3/i7258e/i7258e.pdf.
- (11) UNCTAD (2023). Angola casts net wider to scale up fish exports. Source: https://unctad.org/news/angola-casts-net-wider-scale-fish-exports.
- (12) FAO (2016). Stepping up Aquaculture development and production in Angola. Source: https://www.fao.org/africa/news/detail-news/en/c/413268/.
- (13) Global Seafood Alliance (2019). What Is the Impact of Aquaculture on the Environment? Source: https://www.globalseafood.org/blog/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-aquaculture/.
- (14) Governo de Angola (2018). Plano de Desenvolvimento Nacional 2018-2022. Source: https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/ang179971Plan.pdf.
- (15) African Development Bank Group (2023). Angola - Agriculture Sector Reform Program (ASRP) - Project Appraisal Report. Source: https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/angola-agriculture-sector-reform-program-asrp-project-appraisal-report.
- (16) Governo (2023). Programa de Apoio à Produção, Diversificação das Exportações e Substituição das Importações. Source: https://governo.gov.ao/programa/prodesi.
- (17) World Economic Forum (2022). Angola's agricultural sector could become Africa's powerhouse. Here's why. Source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/angola-agricultural-sector-powerhouse-of-africa/.
- (18) Law 10/21 of 22 April 2021. See also: UNCDTAD (2021). Amendments to the Private Investment Law. Source: https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/3705/amendments-to-the-private-investment-law-.
- (19) Rabo Partnerships B.V. (2023). Boosting the Food & Agribusiness Sector in Angola. Source: https://www.rvo.nl/files/file/2023-08/boosting-the-food-and-agribusiness-sector-in-angola.pdf.
- (20) UNCTAD (2021). Harnessing fishery resources for socioeconomic development, lessons for Angola and Haiti. Source: https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/aldcinf2021d5_en.pdf.
- (21) Internation Trade Administration (2019). Angola Marine Technology (Fisheries and Sea Ports). Source: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/angola-marine-technology-fisheries-and-sea-ports.
- (22) UN STATS (n.d.). Country Profile: Angola. Source: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/dataportal/countryprofiles/AGO#goal-12.
- (23) IFAD (2020). Angola. Source: https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/w/country/angola.
- (24) ILO (2021). ILO STAT Explorer. Source: https://rshiny.ilo.org/dataexplorer40/?lang=en&id=SDG_0831_SEX_ECO_RT_A.
- (25) FAO (2022). Legal report on the ecosystem approach to fisheries in Angola. Source: https://www.fao.org/3/cc2010en/cc2010en.pdf.
- (26) Henrique Gonçalves et al (2023). Women in fishing activity: a study in the Nzeto-Angola fishing community. Source: https://revistarebram.com/index.php/revistauniara/article/view/1126.
- (27) National Waste Agency (2021). Administrative Data.
- (28) Governo de Angola (2024). BDA apoia 146 projectos no valor de 96 mil milhões de kwanzas. Source: https://governo.gov.ao/noticias/1639/governo/investimento-no-sector-pesqueiro/bda-apoia-146-projectos-no-valor-de-96-mil-milhoes-de-kwanzas
- (29) Annelie Coleman (2022). Plans afoot to return Angola coffee production to former glory. Source: https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/agri-news/africa/plans-afoot-to-return-angola-coffee-production-to-former-glory/.
- (30) The Farmer's Journal Africa (2023). Unveiling Angola’s Coffee Industry Game-Changer: PiedadeBaptistas Leads the Way to a Java Revolution! Source: https://thefarmersjournal.com/unveiling-angolas-coffee-industry-game-changer-piedadebaptistas-leads-the-way-to-a-java-revolution/.
- (31) UNCTAD (2018). Coffee, honey, timber: Angola eyes cleaner, greener economic growth. Source: https://unctad.org/news/coffee-honey-timber-angola-eyes-cleaner-greener-economic-growth.
- (32) Reynald, M. (2023). Unfolding women’s role in small-scale fishing community in The Philippines toward formulating a gender-sensitive local government policy. Source: https://typeset.io/papers/unfolding-womens-role-in-small-scale-fishing-community-in-18gc4vl4