WISHH trade team members, including African fish farmers and researchers, examine fingerlings being raised at the E.W. Shell Fisheries Center at Auburn University.

After participating in WISHH aquaculture trade teams and trainings, the CEO of a leading African aquaculture company Evans Kwadzo Danso says the quality of our fish is only as good as the quality of our feed—and he knows that the U.S. is producing one of the best soya.

“I have discussed one or two ways of getting suppliers, including one in Ghana to see if we can source from the U.S. directly,” Danso added. “We are also hoping to increase our volume of (tilapia fingerlings) production next year and that means more soya will be required.”

Danso and his wife founded the company that uses extruded fish feed to tap into a growing market for farm-raised fish as a source of human nutrition in Africa. Their company currently has 51 direct employees and supports jobs for another 250 people who are involved cleaning, distribution and more.

Danso was one of a number of African aquaculture leaders that WISHH selected to participate in aquaculture training with another WISHH strategic partner, Auburn University, on Oct. 7-8.

With the support of USDA Agricultural Trade Promotion Program funds, WISHH worked with Auburn on the training that focused on developing the aquaculture sector of Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, which together account for the majority of U.S. soy exports to Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Auburn training touched on a wide variety of topics, including water quality, aeration, nutrition, and the importance of feed quality. Danso found the training so valuable that he recorded videos and sent them to his staff so they could immediately implement improved aquaculture practices.

Aquaculture is a growing industry, and with the support of WISHH, can drive the demand for U.S. soy in the region. As the industry continues to grow and farmers learn the importance of feed formulations, there will be opportunity for U.S. soy to meet the protein demands of feed producers throughout the region.