Implementation of a complex 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 sustainable aquaculture as the first industry to be implemented, the organization sought ORI's assistance in designing and executing interventions for its inaugural $30 million program. 

A crucial aspect of this initiative was engaging regional and global industry stakeholders. This included strategically reaching out to the public sector, specifically ministries and departments responsible for aquaculture and fisheries development in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as regional fisheries and aquaculture development organizations, and global experts in the field. The goal was to build early support for the proposed interventions and to create momentum for the program.

The client sought an industry development team to refine and implement priority workstreams, identify and evaluate potential partners, conduct due diligence on emerging pioneering firms, identify ecosystem-level change required, and pilot priority activities. The client engaged ORI to provide program management and implementation services.

Industries
Strategy, Data & Insights
Market Analysis & Opportunity Scoping
Smallholder Agriculture Development
Public Policy Improvement
Implementation
Program Design & Business Development
Agribusiness & Food Systems
Climate Action
Finance & Investment
Capital Raising & Impact Investing
Management of Catalytic Funds
Ecosystem Development
Engagement

Drawing on our in-depth knowledge of industry development and experience managing complex programs across various agribusiness industries, along with our recent engagements in sustainable aquaculture opportunities scoping and industry strategy design, we took the lead in establishing 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 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, global aquaculture industry experts and institutions, and engaging them for their insights.
  • Preparing and managing the program's annual operating plan and budget.
  • Overseeing the execution of key interventions and identifying a pipeline of high-potential pioneering firms.
  • Designing an in-house catalytic investment fund to spur the growth of a new aquaculture industry at the firm and ecosystem levels. In addition, supporting investment due diligence of those applying for catalytic investment and market-based capital.
  • Developing standard operating procedures and corporate systems for the industry program and the organization.
  • Establishing and managing performance indicators and targets while 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 aquaculture 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.