Pan-African Initiative Launched to Transform Pastoral Markets Across Africa

Nairobi, Kenya ,17th January 2025  By Brenda Asugu 

The African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform, under the auspices of the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), has unveiled a groundbreaking four-year initiative aimed at revolutionizing pastoral systems across the continent. Launched during a high-level event in Nairobi, the program seeks to address the persistent challenges facing pastoral communities, including economic marginalization, food insecurity, and climate vulnerabilities, by fostering market-driven solutions and promoting inclusive agricultural transformation.

The initiative is designed to integrate pastoral communities into regional and international livestock markets, with a focus on policy reform, private sector engagement, and enhanced data access for informed decision-making. It places special emphasis on empowering women and youth, improving access to quality and nutritious food, and bolstering climate resilience in Africa’s arid and semi-arid regions.

PHOTO: Nigeria Minister of Livestock Development Mr. Mukhtar Mahia alongside Kenya’s Director of Livestock Policy, Research and Regulations Dr. Christopher Wanga During the Launch of the African Pastoral Market Development in Nairobi.

Kenya and Nigeria have been selected as pilot nations to lead the program’s implementation. Their efforts will showcase innovative strategies tailored to the unique challenges of the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions.

Dr. Christopher Wanga, Kenya’s Director of Livestock Policy, Research, and Regulations, hailed the initiative as a significant milestone aligning with the Kenya Kwanza government’s livestock sector priorities. “This initiative comes at a critical time for Kenya’s livestock sector, which is central to improving local and export markets, boosting milk production, and driving economic transformation,” Dr. Wanga stated.

Kenya’s approach, guided by its National Livestock Masterplan, emphasizes targeted investments in competitive value chains like dairy, beef, and poultry. The country has also tackled challenges such as feed shortages and livestock diseases through public-private partnerships, establishing 450 feedlots in arid regions and launching widespread vaccination campaigns.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, expressed his country’s commitment to transitioning from subsistence farming to a modern, resilient livestock industry. With a population exceeding 250 million, Nigeria is leveraging its vast market potential to attract local and international investors. The government is focusing on infrastructure development in grazing reserves, disease control, and establishing international trade routes for cattle.

“Nigeria’s interventions include veterinary services, disease surveillance posts, and livestock resting points along trade routes,” Maiha said. “These efforts will enhance animal health, streamline trade, and support regional livestock movement.”

The APMD initiative underscores the importance of regional cooperation to address cross-border challenges such as climate change and disease outbreaks. Both Kenya and Nigeria emphasized the critical role of reliable data in guiding interventions, from Kenya’s livestock masterplan to Nigeria’s inventory of grazing reserves and trade infrastructure.

As the program progresses, lessons learned from these pilot countries will serve as a blueprint for scaling market-driven solutions across Africa, ensuring that pastoral communities are integral to the continent’s agricultural and economic transformation.