Burundi: Pre-feasibility and feasibility study for the implementation of fish farming production sites in Lake Tanganyika and on land

Project Background:

Burundi faces a strong domestic demand for fish, increasing pressure on the natural resources of Lake Tanganyika, and weak existing industrial aquaculture systems. In this context, the development of industrial fish farming, both cage culture on the lake and land-based systems, has been identified as a strategic solution to improve food security, fight malnutrition, and create jobs, especially for young people. The project is part of the Support Program for the Regional Center of Excellence in Nutritional Sciences (PA-EANSI) and aims to provide the technical, economic, and institutional foundations necessary for the implementation of pilot fish production sites in Burundi.

Objectives:

The main objective of the project is to assess the technical, economic, and institutional feasibility of implementing industrial fish production units in Lake Tanganyika and in land-based systems. Specifically, the project aims to:

• Identify the most suitable fish species and locations for the development of industrial aquaculture;
• Determine appropriate technical options and viable production models;
• Analyze the potential impact of these units on the national economy, food security, and youth employment;
• Assess the profitability of the proposed investments;
• Identify the critical skills to be developed to support the sector’s deployment.

Activities:

The project is structured into four successive phases over a six-month period:

1. Start-up and Scoping Phase: Project launch, literature review on the Burundian context, preliminary identification of sites and key stakeholders, development of data collection tools, and planning of field missions.
2. Pre-feasibility Phase: Field missions (site visits, interviews, surveys), analysis of potentially suitable species and areas, initial technical assessment of existing infrastructure, market and regulatory framework study, and preliminary identification of skills needs.
3. Feasibility Phase: Technical design of a prototype land-based farm and cage units, economic and financial modeling, in-depth analysis of fish production and health, development of a skills development strategy, and evaluation of socio-economic and environmental impacts.
4. Finalization and Validation Phase: Presentation of results, integration of stakeholder feedback, finalization of recommendations, and submission of the final report with technical annexes.