A major breakthrough in Anambra State’s drive toward industrial-scale aquaculture and youth economic empowerment was recorded on Tuesday as Elite Cooperative Society Limited signed a franchise agreement to adopt the TAENPROWIZ Fish Production Business System and Technology for commercial fish production.
The agreement, signed in Awka, marks a significant step in transitioning trained youths from small-scale fish farming into a structured, technology-driven and commercially viable aquaculture enterprise.
The franchise deal was facilitated by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) between the cooperative and TeeMartins ICT Limited, owners of the TAENPROWIZ Fish Production Business System.
At the signing ceremony in Awka, President of Elite Cooperative Society Limited, Mr. Chukwuma Onyekwe, signed on behalf of the franchisee, while the Managing Director of TeeMartins ICT Limited, Mr. Cosmas Ezenwanne, signed for the franchisor.
Members of the cooperative are among youths trained under the ECOWAS-TAENPROWIZ Youth Training 1.0 Programme on Table Fish Production Business.
With the new agreement, the group is expected to move beyond basic fish farming into full commercial production under a professional franchise framework supported by modern technology and precision-driven management systems.
The Coordinator of the Taenprowiz Production Partnership Center, Mr. Emeka Iloghalu, described the contract signing as a landmark achievement in ongoing efforts to expand aquaculture production, create employment opportunities and strengthen food security in Anambra State.
According to him, the cooperative earned the franchise opportunity after demonstrating commitment, discipline and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the state’s fish production targets.
Original design
Iloghalu explained that the ECOWAS-backed training programme was originally designed to equip youths with practical skills and technical knowledge in fish production without direct financial support.
However, to ensure sustainability and long-term business growth, FABDA partnered with the Ministry of Industry and the Office of the Director of Cooperatives to organize additional training sessions on cooperative formation and management.
He disclosed that six table fish production cooperatives emerged from the programme, with Elite Cooperative Society becoming the first to secure the TAENPROWIZ franchise agreement.
“This contract will enable them to move fully into professional fish production using the TAENPROWIZ fish production business system and technology.
“They are now strategically positioned to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of Anambra State through commercial table fish production,” he said.
Iloghalu further outlined Anambra State’s ambitious fish production roadmap being championed through FABDA.
He said the agency’s short-term target is to increase annual table fish production by 51 million kilograms to achieve local self-sufficiency in fish supply.
He added that the medium-term target is to scale production up to 675 million kilograms annually to meet industrial raw material demand and boost export capacity.
The long-term vision is to position Anambra as the leading fish-producing state within the ECOWAS region with an annual production target of at least 1.35 billion kilograms.
“This is not the conventional fish farming system people are used to.
“It is a comprehensive production model designed to transform participants into professional fish producers operating within a modern business structure,” he stated.
Funding support from One Youth, Two youths
He also expressed optimism that the Anambra State Government’s youth empowerment initiative, “One Youth Two Skills,” would provide funding support and other forms of assistance to participants of the ECOWAS-TAENPROWIZ programme who have formed cooperatives.
In his remarks, President of Elite Cooperative Society, Mr. Chukwuma Onyekwe, described the agreement as a turning point for members of the cooperative.
“It has been a challenging journey since we started, but we are optimistic that the TAENPROWIZ system and technology will help us achieve our vision of becoming major players in the fish production business,” he said.
Also speaking, Managing Director of TeeMartins ICT Limited, Mr. Cosmas Ezenwanne, said the franchise would enable the cooperative to deploy high-precision fish production technology to improve operational efficiency and increase productivity.
“The goal is to help them run their fish production business with accuracy, efficiency and higher throughput.
“This is a long-term initiative, and we expect more cooperatives to adopt the system in the future,” Ezenwanne added.
