Overview

Name: Yalelo Limited (often called Yalelo Zambia)

Founded: 2011

Headquarters / Locations: Corporate offices in Lusaka, production facility in Siavonga on Lake Kariba, and a network of retail outlets across Zambia.

What They Do

Yalelo is a fully integrated aquaculture company specializing in tilapia farming.

They manage the entire value chain: breeding, growing, harvesting, processing, distribution, and retail.

Operations include open-water fish cages in Lake Kariba, hatcheries, and ponds.

The fish are fed diets based on locally grown crops like soy, maize, and wheat.

Quality, Sustainability & Practices

They emphasize sustainable aquaculture with strong biosecurity and environmental management.

Fish are farmed without preventive antibiotics, chemicals, or growth hormones.

A cold chain system ensures freshness, with fish stored on ice immediately after harvest and distributed using refrigerated trucks.

Vision & Mission

Vision: To become a regional aquaculture powerhouse by sustainably developing fish protein resources.

Mission: To stabilize regional food security by producing abundant, affordable fish protein for healthier families.

Markets & Distribution

Operates over 50 branded retail shops across Zambia.

Supplies both the domestic market and regional markets in neighboring countries.

Owns a refrigerated transport fleet to maintain product quality during delivery.

Ownership, Investors & Financials

Yalelo is part of the FirstWave aquaculture platform, backed by investors such as Veris Investments, FMO, and Finnfund.

They have secured financing packages to support expansion and risk management.

The company employs between 800 and 1,500 people depending on project phases and expansions.

Impact & Challenges

Impact: Improves food security by providing affordable fish protein, creates jobs, and supports local agriculture through feed sourcing.

Challenges: Managing environmental impact on Lake Kariba, maintaining biosecurity, and balancing rapid growth with sustainability.