AfDB wraps up Botswana mission on fisheries project

Gaborone, Botswana – The African Development Bank (AfDB) concluded its supervision mission in Gaborone, Botswana, on 28 November 2025, reviewing progress on the PROFISHBLUE project, a regional initiative supporting sustainable fisheries management and blue economy growth in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Led by Mr. Neeraj Nij, Regional Sector Manager for AfDB’s Southern Africa Business Delivery Office, the delegation held discussions with Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at SADC. The visit coincided with World Fisheries Day on 21 November and celebrated key achievements of the project, which has impacted over three million consumers and value chain participants.

SADC stressed the need for a timely extension of PROFISHBLUE, supported with over $5 million in co-financing from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), to complete critical activities under Component 3. The extension is under consideration for CEO approval. AfDB also outlined plans for a larger regional programme covering five fisheries market clusters to boost intra-regional trade and sustainable growth.

Ms. N’Tumba welcomed the feedback and assured the bank of SADC’s commitment to expedite the extension request, noting the importance of project continuity for consolidating gains, promoting sustainability, and strengthening regional partnerships in the fisheries and blue economy sectors.

Launched in 2022, PROFISHBLUE focuses on sustainable management of fisheries resources, improving food security, reducing poverty through employment, facilitating trade, and enhancing resilience of fish value chains and communities against climate change and external shocks.

The AfDB delegation included Mr. Ahmed Khan, Chief Fisheries Officer and Task Manager for PROFISHBLUE, and Ms. Uzoamaka Joe-Nkamuke, Regional Senior Agribusiness Officer. Senior SADC officials attending included Mr. Domingos Gove, Director for Agriculture, and Dr. Alexander Shula Kefi, Project Coordinator for PROFISHBLUE.