Representatives from national governments, development partners, research institutions, and youth networks from across Africa gathered in Nairobi for the meeting of the Food Systems Integrated Program (FSIP). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the FSIP focuses on transforming global food systems across 32 countries, so that they are sustainable, regenerative, nature-positive, resilient, inclusive, and pollution-free.

The event, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), was held on the sidelines of the Regional Forum on the International Year of Camelids and Sustainable Livestock Transformation in Africa. It offered a platform for representatives from FSIP countries to learn, strengthen collaboration, foster knowledge exchange, and enhance synergies across projects and other GEF-funded programs.

With climate change, land degradation, and rising demand for animal-sourced food to secure global food and nutrition security, participants emphasized the urgency of transforming livestock systems to ensure food security, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability.

"Animal-sourced food contributes essential nutrients and livelihoods," said Marialia Lucio Restrepo from FAO's Animal Production and Health Division. “But the sector must evolve to balance growth with sustainability, equity, and health."

Africa is home to more than 270 million people who depend on livestock for food, income, and employment, ye. Ye the sector faces challenges like greenhouse gas emissions — with cattle responsible for 62% of livestock-related emissions — zoonotic diseases, and limited access to quality feed and veterinary services. Despite these issues, livestock offers powerful opportunities to support livelihoods, empower women, and build climate resilience.

Country spotlights

Across Africa, countries are transforming livestock systems through locally led solutions supported by the FSIP.

Eswatini is restoring 30,000 hectares of degraded land and introducing sustainable feed solutions, including black soldier fly larvae, a nutritious and cost-effective livestock feed. The project will benefit 25,000 people—half of them women—through training, improved natural resource management, and diversified livelihoods. "The project aims to transform food systems and improve rural livelihoods through sustainable agriculture and land management," said Thulani Owen Sibiya from Eswatini’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Tanzania is piloting an integrated rice-livestock-aquaculture approach in the Usangu and Zanzibar and Pemba Islands. According to Ezekiel Petro Maro from the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), the project recycles rice husks for feed, promotes pasture management, and scales farmer-led aquaculture initiatives. It also invests in animal health by improving breeding stock, farmer training, and disease traceability systems.

Nigeria is addressing land degradation and resource conflict in 16 local government areas along the Niger River floodplain. The project supports sustainable grazing reserves, native grass and tree restoration, and organic waste recycling. It also promotes integrated farming systems that include rice, livestock, and aquaculture. "Empowering women and youth is central to building resilient, inclusive food systems that protect natural resources while supporting livelihoods," said Akinboro Olukayode Ebenezer, Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Livestock.

Kenya is scaling up zero-grazing units to reduce pressure on rangelands and improve productivity in the dairy sector. Fodder innovations, including indigenous grass seed distribution, seed multiplication training, and cut-and-carry systems, support these climate-smart initiatives. "Our focus is on green infrastructure—such as trees—and how we connect it to livestock systems and forage to support the overall health of the environment," said Michael Misiko of The Nature Conservancy.

Solutions, youth, and collaboration

Youth engagement featured prominently, led by Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), which emphasized the importance of listening to the voices of young women and men for livestock transformation. With Africa’s youth population rapidly growing and making up 16% of the global population, inclusive and innovative-driven approaches are essential for long-term sustainability.

The meeting reinforced alignment between national priorities and the Food Systems IP Global Coordination Project, which supports countries with policy development, private sector engagement, innovation scaling, and monitoring and evaluation.

Aligning livestock transformation in Africa with global strategies

The Food Systems IP played a prominent role during the Regional Forum's session on sustainable natural resource use, climate change, and biodiversity, highlighting the Program’s contributions to integrated, climate-resilient livestock systems and promoting biodiversity-friendly practices across Africa.

These discussions were anchored in the ongoing development of the Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation (GPA), led by the Committee on Agriculture Sub-Committee on Livestock. Luisa Cruz, who leads the Food Systems IP’s policy and governance work, emphasized that the GPA—set to be negotiated by FAO Members in 2026—will serve as a vital international instrument to guide the global transition toward more sustainable, equitable, and resilient livestock systems.

Looking ahead

The event concluded with a shared commitment to collaborative learning and regional solutions through the Food Systems IP Livestock Community of Practice, which will act as a learning platform for continued knowledge exchange and capacity enhancement. It also connects Food Systems IP efforts with other GEF-funded initiatives, such as the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program and Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program, fostering greater impact through South-South cooperation.

Hernan Gonzalez, Food Systems IP Coordinator at FAO, noted: "Livestock are more than just a source of food; they are engines of development, culture, and resilience. But we must act boldly and together to ensure they remain a force for good in a changing world."

Furthermore, mobilizing finance is essential for transforming African food systems—through capacity building, de-risking investments, and developing innovative financial instruments. “We are working to make finance more accessible and better suited to the needs of farmers,” said Massimo Giovanola, Food Systems IP Coordinator at IFAD. “IFAD contributes by strengthening financial institutions, promoting market access, and advancing partnerships through multiple initiatives which brings together public and private actors to drive sustainable livestock transformation.”

Participants highlighted solutions for more coherent policy and investment. FAO's Policy Optimization Tool (PolOpT) stands out as an innovative tool that enables governments to align national policies with global commitments, including the Rio Conventions and the 2030 Agenda. PolOpT allows policymakers to make informed decisions by simulating and comparing different policy options and assessing their potential impacts on poverty reduction, productivity, deforestation, and emissions. "It helps policymakers do more with less," said Marco Sánchez, Deputy Director at FAO Agrifood Economics and Policy Division.