Morocco is preparing to host a major event dedicated to the blue economy on the continent. The city of Dakhla will welcome the Seafood 4 Africa conference on February 4, 5, and 6, 2026, a pan-African gathering focused on fishing, aquaculture, and the sustainable processing of fishery products.
Presented as a platform for economic and sectoral dialogue, the meeting will bring together public decision-makers, experts, investors, industrialists, and specialized media, with a clear objective: to accelerate a sustainable and competitive transformation of the maritime industries in Africa.
### Local Transformation, Innovation, and Financing at the Heart of Discussions
The 2026 edition aims to address several structural challenges for the sector, particularly the local processing of seafood, the modernization of production chains, technological innovation, and the development of sustainable aquaculture. The financing of projects and the regional integration of African markets will also be key discussion points.
Beyond mere observations, the anticipated exchanges aim to develop operational solutions to strengthen food sovereignty, enhance the competitiveness of sectors, and increase the local added value created, while adhering to international standards related to sustainability, traceability, and governance of marine resources.
### A Framework for Consultation to Strengthen Public Policies
The organizers present Seafood 4 Africa as a premier consultation space, aimed at better aligning public strategies, encouraging productive investment, and promoting responsible management of marine resources, in a context where economic and environmental challenges are increasingly intertwined.
### African Media Mobilized via OMPDA
The conference is also distinguished by the involvement of the Observatory for Sustainable Fishing in Africa (OMPDA), the official communication partner of the event. Through its pan-African network, the Observatory plans a coverage focused on education and the dissemination of specialized information to enhance understanding of the issues related to the blue economy.
In this context, OMPDA President Léonce Aissoun emphasizes that Seafood 4 Africa is part of a strategic dynamic for the continent, at a time when fishing and the blue economy are set to become major levers for economic, food, and social sovereignty.