Mozambique’s aquaculture industry is undergoing a major transformation thanks to MAMAP (Market Access for Mozambican Aquaculture Products), a project launched in 2023 under the Global Market Access Programme (GMAP) and funded by Norad (Norwegian Development Agency) with a €2 million budget. The initiative aims to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) comply with international standards, enhance their competitiveness, and access global markets, and despite facing initial delays and logistical challenges, the project has made significant strides in training, technical support, market access facilitation, and raising the profile of Mozambican seafood on the global stage.
Since its launch, MAMAP has trained 20 INIP inspectors in food safety and HACCP protocols, equipped 30 IDEPA officials with expertise in marketing and business strategy, supported national laboratories in completing two full aquaculture monitoring cycles, and developed a biosecurity manual to improve disease control and fish farm hygiene. These measures aim to establish a robust national quality infrastructure, ensuring that Mozambique’s seafood products meet international safety standards and gain access to lucrative export markets.
At the same time, MAMAP has been directly supporting SMEs, launching a call for participation in March 2024 that received 17 applications from aquaculture enterprises, initiating a diagnostic phase to assess the specific challenges faced by each SME, and developing tailored training programs and new biosecurity protocols to help fish farmers and seafood processors enhance their operations and meet export requirements. These steps are essential because, despite Mozambique’s huge potential in aquaculture, many businesses have struggled due to poor quality control, limited compliance knowledge, and a lack of technical support, but MAMAP is changing that by ensuring SMEs receive the right training, resources, and market access strategies.
Beyond technical improvements, MAMAP has also played a pivotal role in increasing Mozambique’s aquaculture visibility internationally. In November 2024, the project facilitated Mozambique’s participation in AFRAQ 2024 in Hammamet, Tunisia, where representatives from the public and private sectors showcased the country’s growing aquaculture sector and explored potential trade partnerships. The event provided critical insights into industry challenges and opportunities, with key discussions focusing on market access, sustainability, knowledge transfer, and policy frameworks.
Mozambique’s participation in AFRAQ 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia, and now in AFRAQ 2024 in Tunisia, highlights the government’s commitment to expanding the sector and integrating local production into international supply chains. The discussions at AFRAQ 2024 emphasized the need for better cold chain infrastructure, improved fish feed production, and stronger biosecurity measures, all of which align with MAMAP’s ongoing initiatives.
In addition, MAMAP has been actively working on developing a national marketing strategy for aquaculture products, finalizing a Gender Strategy to increase female participation in fisheries and seafood processing, and supporting policy dialogues to streamline regulatory processes and attract investment into the sector.