Fisher-led nonprofit Abalobi is hoping to reel in a massive prize

The company's tech-powered approach to sustainable fishing and helping small-scale fishers thrive has netted it global recognition as a finalist in the 2025 Global Food System Challenge.

- Adèle Sulcas

Abalobi, which means “fishers” in isiXhosa, is a South African social enterprise that aims to revolutionise the way we catch and buy fish - and its modern app-based approach, which connects local small-scale fisher groups with shops, chefs and anyone who wants to buy fish, is already having a global impact.

Abalobi has just been named one of four finalists for the Grand Prize in the 2025 Global Food System Challenge. The Muizenberg-based nonprofit, whose model has been piloted in more than 10 other countries, aims to transform the lives and livelihoods of the world's 500 million small-scale fishers by helping them to manage climate change and protect their employment.

Abalobi is fisher-led and its vision is “to cultivate thriving, equitable and climate-resilient small-scale fishing communities” by supporting small-scale fishers along the entire South African coastline to fish sustainably while continuously improving their fishing practices and earnings.

Its tech platform and programme connects fisher groups and, increasingly, fisher cooperatives with markets, training and financial services. “Fish with a story” is the South African brand for the fish that gets channelled through the Abalobi Marketplace app, which connects buyers and sellers, putting “traceable, storied seafood supplied by local small-scale fishers” in the palm of your hand.

Abalobi Marketplace also offers additional technology to fishers and is used in other parts of the world. One can also shop without the app via the “Fish with a Story” webshop (shop.fishwithastory.org), online via Babylonstoren, or in person at Checkers and other smaller bricks-and-mortar shops.