Nigeria, Morocco Strengthen Cooperation on Livestock Identification and Traceability

Nigeria and Morocco, in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Ghana, are stepping up efforts to modernise livestock management through improved animal identification and traceability systems.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening disease surveillance, improving veterinary services and expanding access to regional and international livestock markets. It is being driven through the ECOWAS livestock identification and traceability roadmap, Nigeria's National Livestock Information Management System and Morocco's newly introduced national animal database.

A key step in the programme was taken in Lomé, where ECOWAS held the 8th Meeting of its Regional Veterinary Committee. The regional bloc reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a harmonised livestock identification and traceability system across West Africa.

ECOWAS said the three-day meeting brought together about 60 participants, including directors of veterinary services from member states, veterinary association leaders, regional institutions, international organisations, technical partners and livestock experts. Participants reviewed progress made on livestock traceability projects, identified implementation challenges and explored digital technologies to improve animal identification, disease monitoring and veterinary service delivery. They also discussed coordinated regional measures to support livestock health, facilitate cross-border animal movement and strengthen the competitiveness of the livestock sector.