African Leaders Unveil Plan To Boost Intra-African Livestock Trade

African leaders have launched a coordinated agenda aimed at transforming the continent’s pastoral livestock sector into a globally competitive industry by removing trade barriers, attracting private investment and creating a unified livestock market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The commitment was announced on Thursday during the ministerial session of the inaugural African Pastoral Markets Forum, where ministers from Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Somalia, alongside the African Union Commission, agreed on measures to strengthen regional livestock trade and increase value addition.

The leaders noted that despite Africa possessing nearly one-third of the world’s livestock resources, the continent continues to export live animals while importing processed meat and dairy products.

Speaking at the forum, the African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, described the pastoral livestock economy as one of Africa’s most valuable but underdeveloped economic sectors.

He said the sector has significant potential to drive food security, industrialisation, employment and regional trade if supported by appropriate policies and investment.

Vilakati called for increased investment in livestock corridors, animal health systems, water infrastructure, market facilities and harmonised cross-border trade regulations.

The forum, convened by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), also produced commitments by participating countries to modernise livestock markets, strengthen disease surveillance, expand animal traceability systems, remove non-tariff barriers and improve access to finance.

Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said Africa must transition from subsistence pastoralism to commercially driven livestock enterprises capable of attracting investment and competing globally.

Maiha said Nigeria, with about 240 million livestock, is implementing reforms that include investments in ranch development, modern livestock markets, animal identification and traceability systems, veterinary services and market infrastructure to reduce dependence on imported livestock.

Kenya’s principal secretary for Livestock, Jonathan Mwangangi Mueke, said Africa’s competitiveness would increasingly depend on livestock quality, traceability and science-based production systems rather than herd size.

He said Kenya is digitising veterinary certification, modernising meat inspection and establishing a comprehensive livestock identification system.

Uganda’s minister of state for Animal Industry, Dr Bright Rwamirama, urged African governments to prioritise value addition by developing meat, dairy and leather industries instead of exporting raw livestock.

He said stronger policies, infrastructure and regional integration are needed to ensure the continent benefits more from its livestock resources.

Somalia’s minister of Livestock, Forestry and Rangelands, Hassan Hussein Mohamed, said his country is focusing on feed production, animal health, livestock exports and traceability systems as part of its national development strategy.

He also called for greater collaboration among neighbouring countries to strengthen livestock trade, animal health coordination and food security.

Representing Namibia, Ambassador Mbapeua Muvangua said strong veterinary systems, disease-free zones, digital traceability and predictable regulations have enabled the country to export livestock products to the United States, the European Union and China.

He urged African countries to strengthen cooperation on disease control, veterinary surveillance, digital livestock systems and transport infrastructure to expand intra-African and international livestock trade.