Govt Casts Line For USD 1 Billion Fish Industry

The Government has unveiled an aggressive new roadmap to transform Zimbabwe’s aquaculture sector into a USD 1 billion industry, rallying investors to back a national drive to dramatically scale up fish production.

Stakeholders converged at Cresta Oasis last week in the capital for a high-level Investment Roundtable, where authorities outlined a comprehensive “seed-to-market” strategy designed to modernise the sector.

The plan targets a significant increase in national output from the current 35,151 metric tonnes (MT) to 60,000 MT by 2030, bridging a yawning gap in domestic demand.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, the Guest of Honor, ARDAS Chief Director Mrs. Medlinah Magwenzi, called for a transformative approach that moves the sector beyond simple ponds into high-tech processing, cold-chain logistics, and digital trading platforms.

The plan will be powered by the government’s flagship Rural Development 8.0 initiative.

Mrs. Magwenzi said that 35,000 Village Business Units (VBUs) will be the primary vehicle for ensuring this “Blue Transformation” reaches every village, empowering women and youth to lead Zimbabwe’s journey toward its ambitious target.

The push for growth is being backed by a suite of fiscal incentives designed to de-risk investment and attract private capital into the value chain.

At the same roundtable, Professor Jiri confirmed that the government is working with the Treasury to provide duty waivers, VAT exemptions, and tax holidays for investors.

“We will provide clear policy direction and regulatory certainty, facilitate access to land and water resources and ensure ease of doing business in this sub-sector,” said Prof Jiri

Authorities see opportunities spanning the entire value chain, from hatcheries and feed production to cold storage, processing, and logistics.

This investment drive is critical, as Zimbabwe’s current fish production of just over 31,000 MT falls far short of the national demand of 60,000 MT, with per capita consumption languishing at a low 3.2 kg.

The sector, however, already supports an estimated 48,000 livelihoods.

International partners are already on the ground bolstering the sector’s foundations.

The government has also recently validated its first-ever comprehensive Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, aimed at unifying scattered regulations and providing a cohesive legal framework to foster investment and safeguard the sector’s long-term sustainability .

With the newly unveiled incentives and a clear national strategy, Zimbabwe is betting big that its vast water resources can become a new frontier for economic growth and rural industrialisation.