1. ECOWAP
« …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE…»
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):
Enhancing the contribution of fisheries sector to ending
hunger and malnutrition in West Africa Region
SIDIBE Aboubacar, PhD
Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy Officer
ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
Accelerating the End of Hunger and Malnutrition. A Global Event November 28-30, Bangkok
Side Event: Learning from FIRST EU-FAO Policy Assistance for Ending Hunger and Malnutrition

2. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP Context : Fisheries and Aquaculture in West Africa
➢ Annual fish production is estimated at nearly 3
million tons with a very large disparity between
the countries of the region.
➢ Fish is the main source of animal protein
available and accessible for the majority of 355
millions persons in West Africa (over 60% of
households rely on fish for their animal protein
and micronutrient needs)
➢ The different estimates would indicate an average
annual consumption of 14 kg per inhabitant with
significant inequalities between countries.
➢ The sector is very importance in the region:
▪ For Small-Scale Fisheries (more than 70% of the
total production)
▪ For poverty reduction (six millions direct & indirect
jobs creation).
The 15 Member
States of ECOWAS

3. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP
➢ Policy incoherence which affect the ability of the sector to make a positive
contribution to FSN and poverty reduction (i.e. commercial objective versus
industrial fishing impact, lack social protection, etc.)
➢ Very weak coordination and lack of effective collaboration in the programs
and projects actions for FSN and Fisheries & Aquaculture; and weak human and
institutional capacities at national and regional level.
➢ Absence of a Regional Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy focused on FSN to
improve the contribution of the sector to the FSN of the populations.
➢ The main consequence of these “défaillances” is the poor investments in
fisheries and aquaculture sector (e.g. investments do not lead improved value
chain process to FSN, weak monitoring of resource flows and progress, etc.)
Context : Key challenges/bottlenecks need to be addressed in the fisheries
sector to improve its contribution to food security and nutrition (FSN).
 The objective of FIRST Programme is to create an enabling environment for the development
and implementation of the ECOWAS Integrated and Coordinated Regional Fisheries and
Aquaculture Policy to enhance the contribution of the sector to food security and nutrition
and poverty reduction in West Africa.

4. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP Funding of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in the National Agriculture Investment
Plan for Food Security & Nutrition (NAIP-FSN) in some ECOWAS member States
Country Level of funding* Comments
Cabo Verde High
49,6 % (including crops, livestock and forest) of the total cost
of the NAIP-FSN (2010-2015)
Benin Average 26,9% of the total cost of the NAIP-FSN (2017-2021)
Burkina Faso Weak 0,48% of the total cost of the NAIP-FSN (2016-2020)
Ghana Weak
3,3% of total budget of Medium-Term Agriculture Sector
Investment Plan (METASIP, 2009 – 2015)
Guinea Weak 5,6% of the total cost of the NAIP-FSN (2018 – 2025)
Nigeria Weak 1,33% of the total cost of the NAIP-FSN (2018 – 2020)
Côte d’Ivoire Absent
Fisheries sector is mentioned in the NAIP-FSN but without
any provisional budget
Senegal No available NAIP-FSN not yet finalized
*High: >50% ; Average : between 10% & 50% ; Weak < 10%

5. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP Main achievements to date and related lessons learnt at National level
➢ Review/Analysis of the Contribution of the
National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policies
and Strategies to Food and Nutrition Security
of populations in 13 countries West Africa.
➢ Identification of priority actions in the
implementation of existing national policies
and strategies to improve the availability,
accessibility, use and sustainability of fish and
fishery products for the populations.

6. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP Main achievements to date and related lessons learnt at Regional level
➢ Established mechanism for coordinating actions
and investments in fisheries for FSN and
reviewing progress:
▪ Adoption of the mandate and composition of the Regional
Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture of ECOWAS
(Frame supporting the process of elaboration and
implementation of the Regional Policy for Fisheries and
Aquaculture focus on FSN).
▪ Official establishment of the Regional Platform of Non
State Actors in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector in
West Africa and Mauritania (WANSAFA).

7. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP Main achievements to date and related lessons learnt at Regional level
➢ Consensus on the necessary Strategical axes to
achieve the FNS goal in the ECOWAS Regional
Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy:
▪ Strengthening the fish production of small-scale
fisheries and aquaculture mainly oriented for feeding
local populations in West Africa
▪ Development of the value chain activities and intra-
regional trade of fish and fishes products
Some international instruments are guiding the regional and country work:
➢ Code Of Conduct For Responsible Fisheries (CCRF),
➢ The Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries in the Context
of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (VGSSF),
➢ Policy Framework & Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS-AU),
➢ Fisheries Policy Guidance Notes developed by FIRST Programme (EU-FAO).

8. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP In Conclusion: What else should be done to ensure greater effectiveness of
investissment in Fisheries & Aquaculture in ECOWAS region to accelerate
progress on ending hunger and malnutrition
➢ Strengthening human capacity at the regional and national
levels in terms of integrating food and nutrition security
concerns into the sustainable development of fisheries and
aquaculture, and vice versa.
➢ Mobilizing and strengthening public and private
investments in fisheries and aquaculture for food and
nutrition security.
➢ Make information and knowledge available on political
economy issues that may hinder the implementation of
regional fisheries and aquaculture policy in West Africa.

9. « …ECOWAS OF PEOPLE …»
ECOWAP
THANK YOU
MERCI