The African Development Bank (AfDB) concluded a successful supervision mission in Gaborone on 28th November 2025, focusing on the progress of the PROFISHBLUE project, a regional initiative aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries management and blue economy development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Led by Mr. Neeraj Vij, Regional Sector Manager for the Southern Africa Business Delivery Office, the AfDB delegation engaged in a debriefing session with Ms. Angele Makombo N’Tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration (DES-RI) of SADC. During the visit, which coincided with the celebrations of World Fisheries Day and the project’s achievements on Friday 21 November 2025, the delegation expressed satisfaction with the implementation status of PROFISHBLUE, which is nearing its closure especially that more than 3 million consumers and value chain beneficiaries have been impacted by the project activities.
The SADC Secretariat emphasized the importance of a timely extension of the project to ensure a smooth transition into a new initiative, valued at over $5 million in co-financing from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). This extension is crucial for completing key activities under Component 3 and is currently under consideration for CEO endorsement. The bank also highlighted plans to develop a large regional programme targeting five fisheries market clusters across the region, aiming to bolster intra-regional trade and sustainable growth.
Ms. N’Tumba welcomed the feedback and assured the delegation of the SADC Secretariat’s commitment to expedite the extension request. She underscored the significance of the project’s continuity in consolidating achievements, promoting sustainability, and fostering regional partnerships to transform the fisheries and blue economy sectors across Southern Africa.
The PROFISHBLUE project, launched in 2022, seeks to enhance the sustainable management and utilization of fisheries resources within the blue growth framework. Its objectives include improving food security, reducing poverty through employment, facilitating intra-regional trade, and strengthening the resilience of fish value chains and communities against climate change and external shocks.
The delegation also included notable representatives from AfDB Mr. Ahmed Khan, Chief Fisheries Officer and Task Manager for PROFISHBLUE, Ms. Uzoamaka Joe-Nkamuke, Regional Senior Agribusiness Officer, and senior officials from the SADC Secretariat, including Mr. Domingos Gove the Director for Agriculture and Dr. Alexander Shula Kefi, the project Coordinator for the PROFISHBLUE Project.
As the project approaches its conclusion, stakeholders remain optimistic about the strides made and the prospects for future regional cooperation and investment in the fisheries and blue economy sectors across Southern Africa.
