Beyond profitability: Integrating supply-, value chain and true cost perspectives into aquaponics and conventional African catfish farming in Africa

The sustainability and food safety implications of the African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ) supply and value chains derived from conventional (stagnant) aquaculture and aquaponics integrated with amaranth ( Amaranthus spp. ) production in Nigeria remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluates the supply and value chains of aquaponics and conventional (stagnant) aquaculture by integrating the Value Chain Analysis for Development (VCA4D) and True Cost Accounting (TCA) frameworks. The VCA4D framework is used to assess the functional organization, governance, and economic performance of each value chain, while the TCA framework quantifies their broader social and environmental impacts, thereby enabling a comprehensive sustainability assessment across functional, economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Data were collected through survey and interviews with seven (7) aquaculture supply and value chains stakeholders. The results reveal that while conventional aquaculture remains more profitable, aquaponics offers higher long-term social and ecological returns, particularly through water-use efficiency, reduced emissions, as well as improved food safety levels. However, adoption remains minimal due to infrastructural, technical, and regulatory barriers. The study highlights the informal nature of Nigeria’s processed fish market, where weak governance, limited safety certification, and gender disparities prevail. Despite these challenges, aquaponics demonstrates strong potential for urban food safety and sustainable intensification. Policy recommendations include financial incentives, capacity building, improved certification mechanisms, and support for inclusive innovation ecosystems.