The African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has launched the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) platform to address challenges in Africa’s livestock sector and enhance market access for pastoral communities.
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the initiative aims to revolutionize livestock markets by expanding market access, overcoming trade barriers, and ensuring resilience in livestock production. The platform focuses on enabling small-scale livestock producers to reach regional and global markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) with its 1.2 billion potential consumers.
Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke of the State Department for Livestock emphasized the urgency of addressing gaps in livestock marketing and commercialization, calling for collaboration among governments, private sector players, and development partners.
The APMD platform’s strategy includes policy innovation, data ecosystems, and strategic private-sector involvement to bridge supply chain gaps and support pastoralists. It aims to promote financial inclusivity and strengthen cooperatives among small-scale producers, enhancing their bargaining power and access to secure payments.
AU-IBAR’s Huyam Salih emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting Africa’s pastoralists through strengthened market systems, inclusive finance, and collaborative partnerships, positioning the APMD as a transformative force in Africa’s livestock economy, with the potential to uplift the livelihoods of millions across the continent.