At the recent Blue Economy Summit in Mombasa, over 700 delegates gathered to explore how innovation and investment can unlock Africa’s blue economy. Among the many insights, one theme stood out for the Tanzanian delegation, coordinated by Enabel: the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to transform fisheries and aquaculture.

Enabel in Tanzania’s team from the EU-funded Inclu-Cities Project and other partners from across Tanzania, played a central role in showcasing how digitalisation can boost local enterprises. For entrepreneurs, the summit was more than a platform for networking, it was a chance to connect with cutting-edge technologies that could redefine the future of fishing and food systems.

One example came from My Fish, a company from Mwanza, which explored automated fish feeding systems developed by Japanese firm UMITRON. These AI-driven technologies monitor feeding times and optimise distribution, helping farmers reduce operational costs, minimise waste, and increase profitability.

By adopting AI-powered solutions, fish farmers can improve fish health, ensure consistent growth, and reduce the environmental impact of overfeeding. This innovation aligns closely with Enabel’s digitalisation agenda in Tanzania, which positions technology as a cross-cutting driver of change across education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable resource management.

Through projects that promote digital inclusion and innovation, Enabel supports local entrepreneurs in adopting solutions that enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and market access. For the IncluCities Project, the link between digitalisation and fisheries is particularly relevant. Fishing and food systems are central to urban growth and resilience, and digital tools offer new ways to strengthen supply chains, reduce losses, and connect local producers to broader markets. It also reflects Tanzania’s national development vision, where digitalisation is recognised as a catalyst for economic transformation.

By embracing AI in fisheries, Tanzanian SMEs are not only modernising their businesses but also contributing to national efforts to build a resilient digital economy, create decent jobs, and promote sustainable growth. The Blue Economy Summit highlighted how technology is reshaping fisheries value chains, from aquaculture equipment and consultancy to AI-based feeding systems and circular innovations that turn fish waste into new products.

For Tanzania, these insights reaffirm that digitalisation is not an abstract goal it is a practical tool that empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens industries, and advances the country’s development agenda. As Enabel continues to champion digital innovation and inclusion, experiences like these underscore the transformative potential of AI in fisheries and beyond, proving that the future of Tanzania’s blue economy is both digital and sustainable.      

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