LocationsZain’s journey from street stall to fish shop in Aden, Yemen
March 1, 2026
In the heart of Aden, Yemen, the scent of saltwater drifts through narrow streets and the sound of waves echo from the sea. It is here that 36-year-old Zain began his journey selling fish. For years, he stood by the roadside with trays of fish displayed under the hot sun, serving passersby.
Zain, fish retailer in Aden, Yemen.
“Life as a street vendor was not easy. We used to struggle with dust, heat, and unstable electricity,” Zain recalls. “Our fish was exposed in the open air, and customers would sometimes hesitate to buy it because of hygiene concerns.”
Zain Bin Zain Fish shop after receiving support.
Still, Zain remained determined. “What distinguishes our shop from others is the quality of the fish,” he says proudly. “We never sell fish caught more than two days ago — we always try to offer our customers the freshest catch every day.”
A fresh opportunity
An opportunity to upgrade Zain’s business was provided through the Sustainable Fisheries Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (SFISH) Project, an initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with local partner the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS).
Through the project’s private sector development component, 654 local entrepreneurs, like Zain, have been supported and given the opportunity to strengthen their businesses through specialized training, co-financing, and improved access to sustainable practices that reduce fish waste and protect marine ecosystems.
The training focused on hygienic fish handling, improving product quality, reducing waste, and maintaining fish freshness, with the aim of strengthening operational capacity and enhancing resilience within the fisheries value chain. Among the supported businesses was Zain’s shop, which was selected to benefit from the project’s support.
“When I was chosen, I felt this was my chance to rebuild my dream,” Zain shares.
Years earlier, Zain’s small shop, located near a gas station, was destroyed by an explosion.
“We lost everything,” Zain recalls. “The shop was gone, and I had to start again from nothing.”
Through perseverance, Zain first rebuilt a simple street stall on his own to continue working after the explosion. Later, with support from the SFISH Project, he was able not only to restore and upgrade his shop, but also to transform it into one of the cleanest and most trusted fish outlets in the area.
Workers at Zain’s new fish shop are serving customers.
A sustainable re-build
With a matching grant provided through the SFISH Project, Zain co-invested in upgrading his business — combining his own savings with project support to bring his vision to life. He installed a solar power system to overcome frequent electricity outages that once caused fish to spoil. He also added an air conditioner, purchased a freezer to preserve unsold fish safely, and equipped his shop with all the necessary tools, knives, cutting boards, scales, and protective gear.
Zain further redesigned the shop’s interior to make it more hygienic and welcoming.
“Before, our fish were sold on wooden tables in dusty markets,” he says. “Now, we have a clean, modern shop that keeps the fish fresh and our customers comfortable.”
Thanks to these upgrades, Zain has been able to significantly reduce fish waste, which previously reached up to 3 to 5 kilograms out of every 30 to 40 kilograms of fish sold. With better cooling and handling, spoilage has dropped dramatically, improving both profitability and environmental impact.
“We’ve managed to reduce waste, keep our fish fresh longer, and improve working conditions,” he explains. “This change helped us attract more customers.”
A worker at Zain’s shop hands fresh fish to a customer after purchase.
Growing the business, serving the community
After upgrading the shop and introducing better preservation practices, Zain’s income nearly doubled.
But for Zain, success is about more than income. It’s about community and opportunity. “We’ve hired new employees, young men who were previously unemployed,” he says. “Now, they have stable work and income to support their families.”
Today, the shop provides jobs for 15 permanent workers and five temporary workers, making it a small but significant source of employment in the neighborhood.
“We’ve become like a family,” Zain adds. “Everyone has a role, and we all take pride in the quality of our work.”
His shop has also earned a reputation for fairness and transparency. “We sell fish at reasonable prices,” he explains. “We make sure our customers can always afford good quality fish.”
“Thanks to Allah, customers who once avoided buying from street vendors now come to our shop,” Zain says with a smile. “They appreciate the cleanliness, the freshness, and the effort we put into every detail.”
A model for sustainable local business
Zain’s story reflects the broader goal of the SFISH Project; by improving infrastructure, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing value-chain practices, the project helps build a stronger foundation for Yemen’s blue economy.
For Zain, the journey from a dusty street stall to a modern, solar-powered fish shop is more than a business transformation, it’s a story of perseverance, partnership, and hope.
“My shop is not just about selling fish,” he says. “It’s about giving people safe, high-quality food, creating jobs, and protecting the environment that gives us life.”
Looking ahead, Zain hopes to expand his business and continue serving his community with fresh, high-quality fish.
Fresh fish at Zain’s shop in Aden, Yemen.
More information: Sustainable Fishery Development in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
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