WorldFish and Norway Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Propel Climate-Smart Aquaculture Technologies in Egypt – WorldFish, an international non-profit research and innovation organization, has partnered with Norway to launch the Center for Renewable Energy in Aquaculture (CeREA) initiative in Egypt. The four-year project, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo until 2027, aims to refine, test, and scale innovative renewable energy solutions for the aquaculture sector in the country.
The collaboration is focused on improving the livelihoods of 5,000 fish producers, processors, and other value chain actors by incorporating renewable energy technologies.
By harnessing climate-smart technologies, particularly for small- and medium-scale fish farmers in Africa, the initiative strives to enhance nutrition, promote job and value creation, and empower local fish value chain actors.
H.E. Hilde Klemetsdal, the Ambassador of Norway to Egypt, expressed her delight in signing the agreement, emphasizing that CeREA will increase productivity and income for the stakeholders involved, leading to reduced food waste and losses, as well as promoting energy-efficient and climate-smart food value chains.
Essam Yassin Mohammed, the Director General of WorldFish, highlighted the significance of sustainable development in aquatic food systems, stating that CeREA aims to put aquaculture on a low-emission development pathway for the benefit of people and the planet.
The initiative aligns with Norway’s development cooperation priorities, with a particular emphasis on food security, climate adaptation, and gender equality. The involvement of national and international partners, including research institutions, public universities, and the private sector, will maximize the impact of CeREA.
WorldFish has been supporting Egypt’s aquaculture and fisheries sector for over two decades, working on fish genetics and research capacity to foster aquaculture development in sub-Saharan Africa.
CeREA will be a flagship initiative of WorldFish’s Fish for Africa Innovation Hub (FAIH), located at its Abbassa research center. Through FAIH, WorldFish aims to create 6 million new jobs in African aquaculture by 2030, while promoting climate adaptation, gender equity, and food and nutrition security.
The signing of the agreement at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo was attended by representatives from the Embassy of Norway in Cairo and WorldFish, underscoring the significance of this collaboration.
WorldFish’s extensive experience in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries, spanning more than 45 years, has positively impacted millions of lives in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.
The organization recognizes the vital role of fish and aquatic foods in providing income and animal protein for hundreds of millions of people and is committed to ensuring their sustainable production and use for future generations.
WorldFish and Norway Forge Groundbreaking Partnership to Propel Climate-Smart Aquaculture Technologies in Egypt