I know with the political turmoil in some of those African countries, other fish Ive collected in the past like the bichirs, can also be difficult to bring in certain catch locations. I remember an episode of River Monsters where the host had mentioned he was arrested in one of those areas for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. At least he lived to tell about it.
Maybe one of should go on vacation to Lake T. , collect shells and basically be able to fund the whole trip from the sale of those shells...