The pastoral livestock sector in Africa has received a transformative boost with the launch of the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform.
This ambitious initiative aims to tackle long-standing challenges faced by pastoral communities, especially in the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions, using data-driven and market-focused strategies.
Spearheaded by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the APMD Platform is designed to enhance livelihoods, strengthen economic sustainability, and build resilience among Africa’s pastoral communities. The platform targets critical gaps in the pastoral economy, such as the undervaluation of informal livestock trade. In 2010, for instance, the informal livestock trade in the Greater Horn of Africa was valued at approximately USD 1 billion but remained largely neglected and underfunded. By introducing market-focused interventions, the platform seeks to unlock the untapped potential of this vital sector.
Statistics underscore the importance of pastoralists to Africa’s economy. Pastoral systems contribute an estimated 27 per cent of the continent’s GDP and supply 60-80 per cent of its meat. In some regions, pastoralists account for up to 50 per cent of meat exports, emphasiSing the sector’s significance in both domestic and international markets. As demand for meat and milk in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to increase by more than 250 per cent by 2050, driven by population growth, urbanisation and shifting dietary preferences, the need for strategic investments in pastoral systems has become more urgent than ever.
Speaking during the platform’s launch in Nairobi, director of AU-IBAR, Dr. Huyam Salih described the initiative as a major milestone in advancing sustainable livestock development across the continent. “Livestock is critical to food and nutrition security, economic growth, and trade on the continent. The launch of this platform is a bold step toward maximising these contributions,” she said. Salih emphasised that the platform aligns with Africa’s livestock development strategy and AU-IBAR’s commitment to transforming the sector by prioritising the needs of pastoralists, enhancing market linkages, and promoting food security.
Kenya’s Director of Livestock Policy Research and Regulations, Dr. Christopher Wanga highlighted the platform’s potential to unlock economic growth by streamlining the pastoral livestock subsector. While organised dairy industries already exist, he noted that integrating pastoral systems could revolutionise the broader livestock economy. Similarly, Nigeria’s Minister for Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha praised the initiative’s focus on empowering women and youth, improving food security, and building resilience to climate change. “The successful implementation of the APMD project will significantly contribute to national economic development and food security across the continent,” he remarked.
Senior livestock and fisheries officer at COMESA, Mr. Yoseph Shiferaw Mamo stressed the challenges pastoralists face, including climate change, disease outbreaks and market access issues. He explained that the APMD Platform is designed to create a more market-oriented production system, directly benefiting producers. Under the leadership of project head Professor Ahmed Elbeltagy, the APMD initiative has allocated a significant portion of its budget for the four-year implementation phase. Extensive groundwork has already been completed, with 32 countries assessed for their livestock population, economic contributions, growth potential and geopolitical stability.
Kenya and Nigeria have been designated as “Lighthouse Countries” due to their strategic importance, while Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad and Niger were identified as outreach countries for targeted interventions. In September 2024, regional consultations mapped the entire pastoral livestock value chain – from production to sales. Kenya led efforts in the Horn of Africa, while Nigeria focused on the Sahel region, offering regional perspectives to shape strategic priorities.
Subsequent workshops held in October, November and December 2024 refined the platform’s action plans, ensuring alignment with market needs and implementation feasibility. These events brought together key stakeholders to validate technical plans, identify implementers and establish timelines for impactful interventions.
The APMD Platform holds the promise of a brighter future for Africa’s pastoral communities. By addressing systemic challenges, fostering collaboration among stakeholders and leveraging data-driven solutions, the initiative aims to transform the livestock sector into a key driver of economic growth, food security and resilience across the continent.
