Fishing industry receives boost as Ivory Coast raises Ministry of Animal Resources budget by 24% for 2026
Government increases funding to support livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture programs.
IVORY COAST – Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources (MIRAH) will receive a budget of 26.7 billion CFA francs (US$46.9 million) for the 2026 fiscal year, approved by the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee.
This allocation represents a 24% increase compared to the previous year’s funding and reflects government measures to support the livestock, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors.
Programs dedicated to fisheries development and management account for the largest portion of the budget, 42% or about US$19.5 million, while the remainder will fund animal production initiatives and veterinary public health programs.
The budget is divided into four main programs aligned with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2026-2030, according to a statement posted on the MIRAH website.
Despite the higher funding, the ministry continues to struggle to meet production goals in fisheries and aquaculture under the National Policy for the Development of Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture (PONADEPA) 2022-2026.
PONADEPA targets a combined fisheries and aquaculture output of 280,000 tons annually starting in 2026, far above current production levels.
Official data shows local fisheries production reached only 92,700 tons in 2024, leaving a significant gap between domestic output and demand.
To address the shortfall, Côte d’Ivoire imported nearly 732,400 tons of fish in 2024, at a cost of 518.5 billion CFA francs (US$910.8 million), according to the General Directorate of Customs.
The 2026 budget increase is intended to support initiatives to expand domestic production and reduce dependency on imports.
By allocating the largest share of capital expenditure to fisheries programs, the ministry aims to improve resource management, grow aquaculture operations, and meet the rising demand for animal protein.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
