In a historic stride toward revolutionizing Africa’s livestock industry, the African Pastoral Market Development (APMD) Platform was officially launched in Nairobi, Kenya. This initiative, spearheaded by the African Union – Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), marks a pivotal moment in addressing the challenges faced by pastoral communities and unlocking the immense potential of Africa’s pastoral markets.

The Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Nigeria, Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha, joined Dr. Huyam Salih, the Director General of AU-IBAR, in unveiling the platform, positioning Nigeria and Kenya as lighthouse countries for the first phase of implementation. These two nations will lead the charge in transforming the livestock market landscape.

The Vision of the APMD Platform

The APMD Platform is an ambitious initiative designed to provide innovative solutions to the pressing challenges faced by pastoral communities. Key among these challenges are limited market access, climate change, and policy gaps. The platform aims to foster sustainable growth through three foundational pillars:

1. Enabling Policy Environment: Establishing a supportive framework for market integration while protecting pastoral communities’ rights and livelihoods.
2. Functional Data Ecosystem: Improving access to reliable data to enhance decision-making, market transparency, and pastoralist competitiveness.
3. Private-Sector Integration: Building strong partnerships between pastoralists and private enterprises to enhance trade infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Building on Collaboration

From October 21–24, 2024, AU-IBAR convened a Technical Pillar Planning and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop in Naivasha, Kenya. This workshop brought together key stakeholders, including government representatives, development partners, regional economic communities, the private sector, and pastoral communities. Discussions centered on overcoming challenges in pastoral livestock marketing, enhancing value chains, and integrating cross-border trade.

The workshop also focused on completing the Three Pillars Assessment Questionnaire, forming Technical Working Groups, and finalizing the implementation plan for the platform’s operationalization. Participants emphasized the importance of economic inclusion, sustainable livestock practices, and rural resilience in line with key African Union strategies, including Agenda 2063, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA).

A Game-Changing Initiative

The platform is poised to drive transformative change in Africa’s livestock sector, supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. By addressing policy barriers, improving data ecosystems, and fostering public-private partnerships, the APMD Platform seeks to:

• Enhance livelihoods for millions dependent on pastoralism.
• Strengthen resilience to climate challenges.
• Boost economic opportunities through competitive and inclusive markets.

The leadership of Alhaji Idi Muktar Maiha and the Nigerian government in this initiative underscores their commitment to the sector’s growth and the wellbeing of pastoral communities.

As the APMD Platform progresses, it is expected to not only transform pastoral markets in the lighthouse countries but also serve as a blueprint for the rest of Africa. With the collective efforts of governments, development partners, and private entities, this initiative is set to make significant strides toward economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security across the continent.