Book excerpt: This volume, the second of three on commercial aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa, discusses access to investment capital, one of the major obstacles to the development of a sustainable commercial aquaculture in this region. Among the key problems, are the excessively high interest rates on loans; bankers' perceptions that the industry is prone to failure; the lack of understanding by farmers of the financial options available, and limited information about other commercially successful aquaculture enterprises in this area. The study argues that banks need to take a less pessimistic view of the commercial viability of such enterprises, but that borrowers should also learn to formulate and develop a clear business plan, outlining how they intend to repay the loans requested. A number of options are available to improve the situation. Such as "no-collateral" strategies, through group lending, village banks and solidarity groups, that would persuade lenders of the committment of the those wishing to set up a commercial aquaculture business. Overall a need for legal and regulatory reform, along with the institution of government loan guarantees could help develop and improve the options for a commercially viable aquaculture business.