This AAP Dialogue between brings together AAP members and partners to identify and discuss shared problems and opportunities in order to tackle challenges common in African fisheries. The aim of this dialogue therefore is to stimulate cross border interdisciplinary thinking to tackle shared problems in fisheries science among African Great Lakes researchers and to enhance research capacity and problem solving for inland fisheries in Africa. Panellists include researchers from various universities in eastern and southern Africa, USA and the UK who have dedicated their careers to understanding Africa’s inland fisheries and addressing the challenges faced by people and ecosystems that depend on them.