Two prominent women-led aquaculture companies in Kenya, Rio Fish and Great Lakes Feeds, have been awarded grants totaling 56,000,000 Kenyan shillings ($384,000) each through the Investing in Women in the Blue Economy in Kenya program. Sponsored by Global Affairs Canada and administered by the African Enterprise Challenge Fund, the initiative aims to empower women and address gender disparities in Kenya’s blue economy. The grants form part of a comprehensive strategy targeting one hundred ten women-owned enterprises across various sectors within the blue economy to promote job creation and entrepreneurial success.
Rio Fish Ltd company is dedicated to women’s empowerment and sustainability in aquaculture, particularly ending the exploitative sex-for-fish trade in Kenya. Rio Fish operates aggregation centers, procuring fish directly from smallholder farmers, and offers value-added fish products. With the grant, Rio Fish plans to provide seed capital and training to women and young women, aggregate fish from smallholder farmers, and deliver comprehensive training in fish husbandry, financial management, and business operations. Great Lakes Feeds aims to tackle challenges faced by women in aquaculture, producing fish feeds using local resources and providing training programs. The grant will be invested in essential machinery to enhance the efficiency of the feed mill.