Rwanda’s fish production from aquaculture and capture fisheries increased by 9 per cent year on year to 52,439 tonnes in 2025, according to an annual report released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources on December 31.
The latest figure extends a steady upward trend that began in 2020, when total output stood at 32,756 tonnes. Since then, production has risen consistently each year, reflecting sustained expansion in the country’s fisheries and aquaculture capacity.
The ministry attributed the growth largely to increased investment in aquaculture, including expanded hatchery capacity, the organisation of producers into cooperatives, and improved access to critical inputs. Fingerling production reached 71.6 million in 2025, representing a 36 per cent increase from 52.8 million recorded the previous year.
Capacity-building efforts were also intensified during the 2025 fiscal year. Training programmes focused on fish feeding, disease control, and marketing, with a total of 1,737 fish farmers trained. This included 57 facilitators and 1,680 members of cluster cooperatives who received instruction in good aquaculture practices.
In addition, 26 farmers were trained in the use of black soldier flies for fish feed production, a move aimed at reducing feed costs and improving sustainability in the sector.
The report noted that the sector’s current momentum places Rwanda on course to meet the government’s targets under its fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation, which aims to increase annual fish production to 77,700 tonnes by 2029.
Boosting fish output remains a key priority for the government as it seeks to reduce dependence on imports and meet rising domestic demand for animal protein. Official data show that annual per capita fish consumption has risen by 53 per cent, increasing from 2.62 kilograms in 2018 to 4 kilograms in 2023.
