June 22, 2026
 

Rwanda's tilapia production nearly doubles to 52,439 tonnes as private investment scales up

Commercial operators are expanding cage farming across Lake Kivu and Lake Muhazi, with hatchery output reaching 71.6 million certified fingerlings in 2025.

Rwanda's national fish production rose from 31,465 metric tonnes in 2019 to 52,439 metric tonnes in 2025, driven by rising private investment in tilapia cage farming, hatchery infrastructure and feed production, according to the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI).

Commercial operators are expanding production across key freshwater systems including Lake Kivu and Lake Muhazi. Private companies including Kivu Choice Ltd and Fine Fish Ltd have built vertically integrated models combining breeding, feed production, processing and distribution. Rwanda produced approximately 71.6 million certified tilapia fingerlings in 2025, supported by improved biosecurity standards and certification of multiple private hatcheries.

Development finance institution AgDevCo has provided financing to aquaculture ventures operating in Rwanda and neighbouring countries. Victory Group is targeting production growth from approximately 9,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes annually by 2029, alongside expanded employment and processing infrastructure.

Industry participants cited high feed costs, dependence on imported feed ingredients and limited technical expertise as ongoing barriers to competitiveness, underscoring the need for continued investment in local feed manufacturing.

- The New Times (Rwanda)