Strengthening regional animal health networks in West Africa

Livestock value chains, encompassing hides and skin, meat, milk, and eggs, play a pivotal role in providing animal proteins and nutrition to both rural and urban populations. To meet the rising demand driven by population growth, it is imperative to implement public policies and invest in livestock farming. These investments are indispensable for enhancing animal health, fortifying the business environment, and preserving pastoral ecosystems, all of which contribute to the well-being and health of the population.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has already outlined its strategic goals for the agricultural sector, emphasizing the significance of developing and organizing pastoral and agropastoral systems. These include ensuring the security of cross-border pastoral mobility, promoting feed supply networks, strengthening veterinary and animal health services, and controlling diseases.

The 9th Annual Animal Health Networks meeting, organized by ECOWAS and in collaboration with FAO, underscored the critical role in the context of livestock development and animal health in the region. It primarily focused on examining the draft Strategic Plan for Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC) for the period 2024-2028, addressing the urgent need to tackle challenges in the livestock sector.

Since its operationalization in 2018, FAO supported the RAHC to play a pivotal role in the formulation of regional policy and regulatory texts, resource mobilization, and forging partnerships with various international organizations. These actions are geared towards enhancing the capacities of ECOWAS regional epidemiological and laboratory networks , such as the Regional Laboratory Network (RESOLAB) and the Regional Epidemiosurveillance Network (RESEPI), bolstering the capacity of veterinary services on prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases including zoonosis. 

Through the alignment of regional policies and regulatory texts, the meeting strengthened partnerships with technical and development organizations while facilitating knowledge sharing. Furthermore, it evaluated progress in eradicating or controlling priority diseases, reviewed standard operating procedures for veterinary drugs, and provided a platform to discuss opportunities for financing programs like the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Eradication Program.

As a result, FAO Early Warning team is now supporting ECOWAS to integrate the Regional Health Information System (RAHIS) into the Global Early Warning framework that is under development now. Additionally, this forum has paved the way for the introduction of the FAO Progressive Management Pathway for the Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity (PMP-TAB) for use in the 15 ECOWAS member states as well as the launch of the FAO Virtual Learning Center (VLC) for West Africa.

As such, the meeting emphasized the significance of coordinated efforts and partnerships in advancing animal health and promoting livestock development in the ECOWAS region to meet the demand for animal proteins and nutrition, thereby contributing to sustainable well-being and development.