SENANGA RECEIVES 10 MILLION TO BOOST AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development through the Citizen Economic Empowerment Commission has empowered 4 primary coperatives with 26 cages with a capacity to hold 156,000 fish along the Zambezi river in Senanga district of Western Province.
Officiating at the launch of the fish cages, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Hon. Eng. Elias Mubanga said the 156,000 fingerlings is a game changer aimed at boosting regional fish production, creating jobs, and strengthening food and nutrition security.
Eng. Elias Mubanga, who reiterated the New Dawn Government’s commitment to fostering sustainable aquaculture as a key driver of economic transformation.
The Minister described the project as a major step towards rural transformation and a life-changing opportunity for the people of Senanga and Western Province.
“This project goes beyond mere fish farming. it is about empowerment, employment, and real transformation for our people, especially those in rural areas. It responds directly to President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for increased aquaculture production to reduce fish depletion and create new opportunities for women and youth through sustainable economic growth.”
Western Province Minister, Hon. Kapelwa Mbangweta, described the project as a new chapter in the region’s socio-economic development. He said the investment in Senanga demonstrates Government’s commitment to unlocking the province’s development potential.
This investment is proof that Western Province is ready to lead in aquaculture and value addition.
Once completed, the aquaculture project will comprise of 56 floating cages, a modern hatchery capable of producing one million fingerlings annually, a 10-ton cold room, and a 5-ton refrigerated truck for safe fish transportation. The facility is expected to yield over 300 metric tons of fish per production cycle, creating more than 800 jobs within the community.
However, CEEC Director General, Dr. Muwe Mungule, explained that during the launch, 26 floating fish cages were officially commissioned on the Zambezi River stocked with fish fingerlings, marking the first production cycle under the project.
Dr. Mungule added that the Commission’s empowerment approach ensures that cooperatives receive both financial and technical support through infrastructure, training, and business development for long-term sustainability.
“Through training, infrastructure, and business support, we are ensuring that local cooperatives can fully participate in the fish value chain. We are promoting inclusive entrepreneurship that gives ordinary citizens a stake in Zambia’s fish value chain and enables them to benefit from sustainable enterprise.”
The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) Representative, Induna Meimanene, commended government for the consultative approach and process that involved 27 traditional leaders across the province, describing the Senanga Aquaculture Expansion Project as a true partnership between Government and traditional leadership in Western Province.
“This project is a sign of consultative and inclusive governance. It also serves as proof that partnership between traditional leadership and Government can result in extraordinary transformation in rural communities.”
Meanwhile, the Director of Fisheries, in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Mr. Evans Mutanuka, said the Senanga initiative complements other aquaculture programmes being implemented across the country, including fish breeding centres, cold chain facilities, and aquaculture parks in Northern, Luapula, and Eastern Provinces.
Mr. Mutanuka added that the Senanga aquaculture project aligns with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which emphasize sustainable use of fisheries resources, increased income generation, and improved food security.
He said the initiative reflects Government’s commitment to making aquaculture a key driver of economic diversification and climate-resilient development.
The project will serve as a pilot model to be replicated across other districts in Western Province, demonstrating how strategic partnerships between Government, local communities, and development agencies can unlock Zambia’s aquaculture
potential.