Nigeria, the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), and other stakeholders are intensifying efforts to unlock Africa’s estimated $3.4 trillion livestock market by strengthening value chains, boosting investment, and integrating trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The renewed push comes as Africa’s population, currently estimated at about 1.2 billion, continues to grow, driving increased demand for meat and livestock products. AU-IBAR projects that the continent’s meat market, presently valued at over $66 billion, could exceed $100 billion by 2034, with total demand expected to reach 34.8 million tons by 2050.
In Nigeria, the Federal Government has unveiled a $50 billion livestock investment programme backed by the private sector, aimed at expanding the industry and unlocking its full economic potential. Supported by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, the initiative is designed to more than double the sector’s contribution to the economy from approximately $32 billion to $74 billion.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the initiative as consistent with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, emphasising the central role of private sector participation in achieving transformation across the value chain.
“The future of Nigeria’s livestock sector depends on bold, private sector-led investment across the value chain. We see the private sector not just as participants, but as the primary drivers of this economic revolution, with vast opportunities spanning agro-processing, animal health, and digital innovation,” he said.
The minister identified red meat, dairy, and leather as priority value chains, noting their potential to reduce imports, increase exports, and generate employment. He also highlighted the importance of investments in feed production, pasture development, animal health systems, and genetic improvement to enhance productivity.
President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Jani Ibrahim, described the initiative as a significant step toward repositioning the livestock industry, noting its capacity to boost GDP, create jobs, and expand non-oil exports if effectively implemented.
“Governments create the enabling environment, but it is businesses that innovate, invest, scale, and sustain economic growth,” he said.
Meanwhile, AU-IBAR’s 2025 Annual Report outlines progress in strengthening Africa’s livestock systems to support food security and economic growth across member states under the African Union framework.
A major milestone highlighted in the report is the endorsement of the Policy Framework for Economic African Feed and Fodder Sectors and Industries, which provides continental guidance for building resilient livestock economies. The bureau also expanded its interventions into the blue economy, training over 700 individuals in fisheries governance and supporting 28 countries to align national policies with continental reform strategies.
Another key development is the launch of the Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Addis Ababa, aimed at eliminating the disease by 2030. The programme has already supported 15 member states in updating national strategies and identified 11 African vaccine producers to strengthen regional supply chains.
“These activities are accelerating Africa’s progress toward the global eradication of PPR by 2030, protecting small ruminant production systems and strengthening the livelihoods of millions of livestock keepers across the continent,” the bureau stated.
In addition, more than $20 million has been mobilised through cooperative livestock feed and fodder initiatives. Six participating countries, including Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, have been encouraged to implement feed and fodder data systems to support evidence-based planning and improve livestock productivity.
Feed and fodder data ecosystems have been operationalised in six countries, with national dashboards launched in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.
Under the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems initiative, AU-IBAR has supported policy development, data systems, and investment mobilisation to strengthen the sector. Feed inventories have been validated in Nigeria and Cameroon, while policy reform roadmaps and investment profiles have been developed to guide growth.
The report further noted that a dairy cooperative fodder model implemented in Kenya and Uganda has mobilised over $20 million in commitments from nine cooperatives in Kenya, while Nigeria has launched its first national feed balance report to strengthen institutional coordination and planning.
To sustain progress beyond the project’s completion in June, AU-IBAR has developed an exit and sustainability pathway and prepared a follow-up concept note to attract additional investment and partners. Future efforts will focus on institutionalising feed and fodder initiatives, strengthening policy frameworks, and mobilising public and private financing, including foreign direct investment.
Through the Catalysing Transformation Towards Sustainable Livestock Systems project, implemented in Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and technical assistance from the German Corporation for International Cooperation, a continental Climate and Livestock Think Tank has been established to position Africa’s livestock sector as a driver of climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable food systems.
In parallel, the Advancing Pastoral Livestock Markets programme is strengthening livestock productivity while improving pastoral data and traceability systems across the continent, with pilot efforts in Kenya and Nigeria aligning harmonised standards with national governance frameworks to enhance transparency and market access.
