Implementation of a $30m East Africa aquaculture program for an industry development organization

aquaculture program
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Situation

After the Board of a new industry development organization approved aquaculture as the first industry to be implemented, the organization sought assistance in the design and implementation of interventions in its inaugural $30 million program. 

At the same time, there was an urgent need to engage major industry stakeholders, the public sector—including ministries of agriculture and fisheries in East Africa—regional fisheries and aquaculture development organizations, and international aquaculture experts/institutions to build strong momentum.

The client sought an industry development team to refine and implement priority workstreams, identify and screen potential partners, perform diligence on emerging pioneering firms, and pilot priority activities. The client hired ORI to provide program management and implementation services.

Industries
Strategy, Data & Insights
Market Analysis & Opportunity Scoping
Public Policy
Implementation Services
Program Design & Business Development
Agribusiness & Food Systems
Climate Action
Finance & Investment
Engagement

Drawing on our in-depth knowledge of industry development and experience managing complex programs in diverse agribusiness value chains, as well as our recent work in aquaculture opportunities scoping and industry strategy design, we took the lead in setting up the program and delivering important technical assistance workstreams.

ORI's support improved the client's operations by:

  • Placing a full-time international expert in economic growth and private sector development in the position of Interim Industry Director for seven months.
  • Refining the industry strategy to facilitate significant and long-term transformation.
  • Collaborating closely with government ministries, agencies, and sector actors to establish an ambitious and realistic industry vision.
  • Identifying and confirming priority interventions and preparing detailed workstream plans.
  • Piloting priority interventions/activities, including engaging and convening industry stakeholder meetings.
  • Recruiting and onboarding a senior aquaculture industry team to roll out interventions for tilapia and catfish across large-scale pioneering cage-farms and smallholder producers based on pond culture.
  • Identifying senior external stakeholders and global aquaculture industry experts and institutions and engaging them for their insights and views
  • Preparing and managing the program's annual operating plan and budget.
  • Overseeing the execution of key interventions, including identifying a pipeline of potential and existing pioneering firms and supporting investment diligence of those requiring catalytic investment and market-based capital.
  • Developing standard operating procedures and corporate systems for the industry program and the organization.
  • Developing and managing performance indicators and targets and regularly reporting progress to the Board.
Outcomes
  • ORI’s expertise helped establish a robust framework for implementing outcome-focused industry workstreams. This included hiring and onboarding a highly effective team and finalizing a vision of a thriving industry.
  • Critical and time-sensitive workstreams were prioritized and implemented, including the engagement of major industry stakeholders with government ministries and regional organizations, research institutes for fish genetics and aquaculture feed, technology providers, and training and capacity building organizations.
  • A sound investment approach was developed; pioneering grow-out firms, smallholder fish pond farmers, and international quality feed manufacturers were identified and vetted for potential investment and technical assistance support.
  • Standard operating procedures were established, ensuring compliance and consistent application in developing a sustainable aquaculture industry.
  • Since its establishment in 2016, the organization is credited with catalyzing the growth and development of the aquaculture industry in East Africa, based upon support to pioneering firms, assistance with better policies for sector transformation, investment in the development of quality aquaculture feed, and provision of international expertise, among others.