For years, Mr. Robert Gregory Lwanga of Buchosa village in Sengerema District, Mwanza Region, worked tirelessly in the Nile perch fishing industry. Despite his lifelong experience, he could only manage a daily catch of around 30 kilograms. With an income of just TZS 300,000 (USD 111), supporting his family of 12 was a daily challenge.

“I knew the fish were there,” Robert says, “but without better equipment, I couldn’t go far or bring in more. Every day was a struggle.”

Robert’s life took a new turn when he became one of the beneficiaries of a government initiative supported by USAID through the Feed the Future Sera Bora (Better Policies) Project. In 2018, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, with USAID’s support, established the Private Sector Desk—a dedicated unit aimed at creating a more supportive environment for private investment in the livestock and fisheries sectors.

This desk plays a vital role in policy reform and investment facilitation. It has worked to:

• Eliminate restrictive regulations such as district-level radiation certificates and water-body-specific fishing licenses.
• Advocate for the removal of export royalties for Nile perch.
• Expand access to insurance and soft loans through institutions like the Tanzania Agriculture Development Bank (TADB).

In the financial year 2023/2024, the Tanzanian government allocated TZS 25 billion (USD 9.2 million) to TADB for strategic projects targeting small-scale fishers. With USAID’s support, the Private Sector Desk identified potential beneficiaries like Robert, helped them write business proposals, assessed their fishing sites, and guided them through the loan qualification process.

Thanks to this support, Robert received a modern fishing boat valued at TZS 37 million (USD 13,692). The boat came fully equipped with fishing gear, GPS, and life jackets—tools that transformed his capacity overnight.

With the new equipment, Robert’s daily fish production surged from 30 kilograms to 300 kilograms. His monthly income skyrocketed from TZS 300,000 to TZS 3,000,000 (USD 1,110). This leap in productivity has enabled him to repay his loan, meet government obligations, and significantly improve his family’s quality of life.

“We’ve built a better home,” Robert says with pride. “My children are in school, and we eat well. I feel like I’m finally able to provide the life my family deserves.”