Empowering Coastal Communities: A Q1 2025 Milestones for the Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility (AFSFF)
Working day and night toward sustainable coastal development, Aqua Farms Organization (AFO) has redefined community empowerment through its flagship Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility (AFSFF) initiative, a cornerstone of the Coastal Livelihood Program. In Q1 PY 2025, strategic engagements, transformative capacity-building, and robust financial inclusion efforts set the stage for lasting impact along Tanzania’s coastal […]
NEWF 2025 Lit the Fire-Now the Story is Ours to Carry
“We must see the world through the eyes of an unborn child.” — Ma’m Gcina Mhlophe Disconnect to Connect, Read that again! The 2025 NEWF Summit and Congress was a powerful reminder that connection-to-land, to story, to water, to one another, is not a luxury. It is our birthright. Our amazing team joined the spectacular […]
Breaking Barriers: How Tanzania Dive Lab is Empowering the Next Generation of Female Ocean Scientists Through Diving, Leadership & Hands on Marine Conservation Skills
Challenging the Tide For decades, marine sciences and scuba diving have remained male-dominated fields, particularly in the Global South. Women have faced financial barriers, cultural myths, and limited access to underwater research training, restricting their ability to engage fully in ocean conservation. But one initiative in Tanzania is rewriting this narrative, “Tanzania Dive Lab” Founded […]
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Global Climate Change; A Global South Perspective on Climate Solutions
The global impact of climate change is escalating. Africa, as a significant part of the Global South, is increasingly turning to its rich heritage of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) for sustainable solutions. Aqua-Farms Organization has recognized the immense value of TEK in developing resilient and sustainable practices for our marine conservation and community livelihood improvement […]
Project Extension to Mnazi Bay(MBREMP) in Mtwara (MBREMP); ‘Establishing a Voluntary Carbon Credit Market to Restore Mangroves and Support Vulnerable Coastal Communities’
The project “Establishing a Voluntary Carbon Credit Market to Restore Mangroves and Support Vulnerable Coastal Communities” in Tanzania, led by Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) also named the Blue Carbon Project, aims to establish a voluntary carbon credit market while supporting vulnerable coastal communities and restoring degraded mangrove areas. This project is implemented under funding from Ocean […]
AFO scales its interventions to Mafia and Tanga Seacapes
Aqua-Farms Organization (AFO) is excited to announce the expansion of its ocean conservation and livelihood support initiatives into two new seascapes: Mafia and Tanga. This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to support coastal communities and protect vital marine ecosystems. With the establishment of new offices in these regions, AFO will be able […]
Marine Conservation and Community Livelihoods: Supporting the UN Ocean Decade 2030 Agenda
The ocean is the lifeblood of our planet, covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface and playing a pivotal role in sustaining life. From regulating climate to providing food, medicine, and economic resources, its influence is undeniable. Yet, despite its critical importance, the ocean is under threat from overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. […]
How the Women in the Global South have become driving forces in the Sustainable Blue Economy
The blue economy, encompassing all economic activities related to oceans, seas, and coastal areas, represents a crucial frontier for sustainable development. In recent years, women in Global South countries, Tanzania inclusive have emerged as key contributors to this sector, bringing innovation, resilience, and sustainability to marine-based livelihoods. Their roles not only enhance local economies but […]
Enhancing local stakeholders engagement for conservation of coral reef ecosystem within Pepokibukwa Collaborative Fisheries Management Area (CFMA), Tanzania
In efforts to protect Tanzania’s vibrant coral reef ecosystems, Aqua-Farms Organization is spearheading a community based project within the Pepokibukwa Collaborative Fisheries Management Area (CFMA) which seeks to halt the destructive impact of illegal fishing and overfishing that threaten this vital ecosystem. The project focuses on the villages of Buyuni, KwaMoris, Puna, and PembaMnazi, where […]
FROM INTERNS TO DIVEMASTERS
You can remember those days when you were just starting out (Could even just be riding a bike), feeling like a small fish in a big pond? Well! Everybody has started somewhere; we’ve got a tale that signifies the immense belief in the power of dreams and hard work. Meet Our Terrific Trio Face Cards […]
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR OWN NANCY IRABA: 2024 National Geographic Wayfinder Award Recipient!
With so much honor and joy we are proud to announce that Nancy Iraba, our esteemed Underwater Program Lead at Aqua-Farms Organization, on June 6th 2024 was announced and honored to be among the recipients of the Prestigious 2024 Wayfinder Award presented by Kia and National Geographic! Nancy’s journey in marine conservation has been nothing […]
Empowering Change: Introducing The Africa Fair Seaweed Finance Facility
In a world grappling with the effects of climate change, the need for sustainable and resilient aquaculture practices has never been more pressing. Shallow water seaweed farmers, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region (Tanzania, Kenya and Mozambique), are facing unprecedented challenges. Lower yields and an increased prevalence of disease are symptomatic of the […]
Our January-March journey on the Mangrove Blue Carbon Project
The first quarter was so fast paced having a number of activities and targets we had to achieve as we set out for the project. 1. Research to support the carbon credit project Stakeholders Mapping & Risk Analysis The social-economic drivers for mangrove loss at the sites in Tanzania. Mapping mangrove ecosystem service and use […]
OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE 2024 NEWF FELLOWS SUMMIT & CONGRESS
We are so excited to share our recent participation in the 2024 NEWF Fellows Summit & Congress, which was held at the Elangen & Maharani Southern Hotel in Durban, South Africa from February 26th to March 1st, 2024. The NEWF Fellows Summit & Congress is an annual convergence of minds, bringing together scientists, storytellers, filmmakers, […]
2024 ANNUAL RETREAT : Recapping Our Retreat Activity
As we look back on our recent Annual Staff Retreat 2024, it’s clear that we hopped on an unforgettable journey of team bonding, planning, and growth. From February 22nd to February 27th, we gathered together for a week filled with good fellowship, laughter, and strategic brainstorming for the year ahead. One of the highlights of […]
REVOLUTIONIZING SEAWEED FARMING THROUGH MICROCREDIT AND SAVINGS SCHEMES
Africa Celebrates World Ocean’s Day in style!
While not everyone has access to the ocean or lives along the coast – every single human on this planet is greatly dependent and affected by this pulsing liquid life force that surrounds us. This World Oceans Day, in a combined effort between South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon and Tanzania – the ocean was brought to […]
Sus Blue Shop: Enhancing Sustainable Seaweed Farming and Fisheries in Zanzibar
The Aqua-Farms Organization works through a community-based approach that aims at enhancing the proper utilization of aquatic resources, food access, and income generation to the community through research, training, workshops, and collaboration in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. Seaweed farming in Tanzania is unique in that over 80% of its farmers are women. Seaweed farming constitutes […]
New Hope in the Horizon: Upscaling Deep Water Tubular Net Seaweed Farming Technology To Coastal Communities of Tanzania: Initiative by AFO and SeaPower, supported by Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA)
Seaweed farming is a crucial industry in Tanzania, supporting different coastal communities and adding to the country’s financial advancement. However, shallow-water seaweed farmers are experiencing critical obstructions that imperil their farming methods. These obstructions incorporate flighty weather patterns, expanding ocean temperatures, and shoddy farming methods that outcome in low efficiency. Traditionally, the shallow waters along […]