Djibouti

Aquaculture in Djibouti is an emerging sector that the government is actively positioning as a pillar of its "Blue Economy" and Vision 2035 strategy. Although the country has traditionally focused on maritime trade and services, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, and Livestock is now prioritizing sustainable fish farming to reduce a 90% dependency on food imports. Strategic initiatives like the BE-Prosper project, launched in late 2025 in partnership with the World Bank and African Development Bank, aim to establish modern aquaculture production sites near coastal regions like Obock and Loyada. These efforts are primarily focused on high-value mariculture, including sea cucumber and algae cultivation, alongside the development of cold-chain infrastructure to transform the current subsistence-level fishing industry into a resilient commercial sector.

Aquaponics is gaining traction in Djibouti as a specialized "climate-smart" solution to the nation’s severe freshwater scarcity and arid climate. Because traditional soil-based agriculture is limited by high salinity and low fertility, integrated systems that recycle water are being promoted through projects like the Support to Agri-Food Value Chains (FAR). These systems typically pair Nile Tilapia with salt-tolerant vegetables or leafy greens, providing a controlled environment that can reduce water usage by up to 45% compared to conventional irrigation. While large-scale adoption is still challenged by high setup costs, the government is increasingly integrating aquaponics into rural development programs to provide sustainable livelihoods for women and youth in peri-urban areas around Djibouti City and Arta.