The Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) has embarked on an innovative strategy to enhance fish distribution across the country. 

The trust has signed contracts with 13 small and medium enterprises to facilitate the distribution of fish to consumers at affordable prices.

The 13 SMEs, selected from a pool of trained entrepreneurs, are part of a 6-month Distribution Agency Pilot Project. 

This project marks a shift in the trust's approach, aiming to collaborate with stakeholders in the fish distribution sector rather than competing with them.

Victoria Pea, CEO of the Fish Consumption Promotion Trust, expressed the need to empower SMEs.

"We also somehow made it possible for the private sector to support our endeavours, especially the small business owners. Maybe supermarkets can compete, but the small guys are becoming collateral damage. NFCPT as an organisation is shifting from being competitive to being collaborative and  empowering." 

The trust operates 18 fish shops in 17 towns, and this pilot project is expected to expand the distribution points.

The trust initially invested N$800,000 in the project.

Suzan Ndjaleka, Board Chairperson of NFCPT, highlighted the increasing demand for fish supply in Namibia due to population growth. 

"As the Namibian population has increased to 3 million as per the 2023 census, the demand for fish supply will inevitably increase. Therefore, distribution agent model projects aim to enable the NFCPT to collaborate with stakeholders in the fish distribution sector." 

The 13 SMEs, led and owned by seven women and six men aged 18 to 35, were selected based on their attendance at training conducted by the Business Innovation Institute in 2022 and the viability of their business proposals.

Dr. Abisai Konstantinus, one of the distribution agents, expressed enthusiasm about joining NFCPT.

"So now I'm joining the Namibia Fish Consumption Promotion Trust, and I get to create employment in my community while I'm making a bit of profit while also knowing that I'm contributing health-wise, so now I'm not only a game changer but a health agent." 

As the pilot project progresses, NFCPT plans to involve more SMEs and established businesses as distribution agents, gradually expanding its distribution points to meet the growing demand for fish in Namibia.