African Ministers Push Reforms to Build Single Livestock Market Under AfCFTA

African governments have agreed to pursue policy and investment reforms aimed at creating a single livestock market under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The decision was reached at the first African Pastoral Markets Forum in Addis Ababa, where ministers, the African Union and regional stakeholders discussed ways to strengthen livestock trade across the continent.

African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Moses Vilakati, said pastoral livestock should be recognised as a key economic sector. He called for simpler livestock movement and certification procedures, harmonised sanitary standards and increased investment to support regional trade.

Vilakati also urged African countries to invest jointly in livestock corridors, border facilities, animal health services, water systems and other shared infrastructure. He said these measures would help improve livestock production and make cross-border trade more efficient.

Nigeria's Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the country is implementing reforms to modernise livestock production, improve markets and strengthen animal health systems. He added that Nigeria is introducing livestock identification and traceability systems while upgrading livestock markets with basic infrastructure and services.

Officials from Uganda, Kenya, Somalia and Namibia also called for the removal of trade barriers, stronger veterinary services, harmonised regulations and greater investment in livestock value chains. They said these measures would support value addition, improve exports and increase access to regional markets.

The forum ended with a renewed commitment by participating countries to formalise livestock trade, improve regional cooperation and build an integrated African livestock market under the AfCFTA. Organisers said the reforms are expected to support food security, create jobs and expand intra-African trade.