In a bid to foster the development of livestock farming and enhance the security of pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Nigeria engaged in-depth Ministerial Conference with the Ministers of Agriculture and Livestock of the fifteen ECOWAS Member States, plus Chad and Mauritania.

Speaking at the event which took place at the Ministry of Agriculture in Abuja, Nigeria, the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, ECOWAS commission, Massandjé Touré-Litsé highlighted the significance of the meeting and the expected outcomes to be achieved to improve livestock farming and pastoral systems in west Africa and the Sahel.  In his remarks, Mr. Xavier Muron, Leader of the ECOWAP Donors' Group emphasized the importance of animal value chains and the regional strategy for developing livestock and securing pastoral systems being a strong foundation to set real prospects in supporting regional agricultural initiatives.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi also provided insights into Nigeria’s commitment to agricultural development and regional cooperation within the region and the Sahel. Mr. Alan Sy Traore, the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, ECOWAS, the commission presented a comprehensive strategy for advancing livestock farming and securing pastoral systems, focusing on sustainability and resilience in West Africa and the Sahel.

The Director of Livestock Husbandry Services of FMAFS, Mrs Winnie Lai Solarin presented findings and recommendations from the experts' session, emphasizing critical insights and proposed actions. Ministers from the 15 member States shared perspectives, experiences, and strategies for addressing challenges in livestock farming and pastoral systems. Strategic Presentations by the Director of CRSA/RAHC outlined the 2025-2030 strategic plan to enhance animal health in the region, a detailed plan for the conservation and sustainable use of donkey populations, a strategy to improve the health and welfare of aquatic animals, and the findings and recommendations from a study on wildlife disease surveillance to protect regional biodiversity and livestock health.

In attendance were, the WAEMU Commissioner in charge of agriculture, natural resources, and the environment, the Executive Secretary of CILSS, the Executive Director of HUB -RURAL, the Director of RAHC, the Presidents of ROPPA, RBM, APESS, CORET, the representative of ECOWAP donor Group, representative of FAO regional Director and representatives from various sectors to deliberate on sustainable agricultural development strategies in the region, among others.

This conference aims to foster collaboration and develop actionable strategies to enhance the resilience and sustainability of livestock farming and pastoral systems in West Africa and the Sahel. By addressing critical issues such as animal health, wildlife disease surveillance, and the conservation of donkeys, ECOWAS and FMAFS are committed to supporting the agricultural sector and improving food security in the region.