Livestock

Africa's capacity to produce aquatic animal foods remain limited. (Image source: FAO)

While fisheries and aquaculture make up a significant part of Africa's food economy, the market has been feeling the strain from steadily rising demand 

The rapid global expansion of the aquaculture industry at 235 million tonnes in 2024 has failed to reflect in the African regions, which recorded the lowest availability of aquatic animal foods per capita globally. This stands despite the region makes up a significant share of animal protein demand – about 19 percent on average.

“Across Africa, communities rely on aquatic animal foods for nutrition, and in some countries these foods provide as much as 54 per cent of animal protein,” said Abebe Haile-Gabriel, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Africa, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, while speaking on the 2026 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture that has been launched recently by the organisation. “Their production also supports jobs, highlighting their critical role in the blue economy, especially for low-income and vulnerable populations.”

According to available data, production is unsurprisingly concentrated in countries with major freshwater systems such as river basins and lakes. Among the top five producers, Uganda leads with output of just over 0.5 million tonnes, followed by the United Republic of Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Aquatic animal farming is highly concentrated, with the top five producing countries accounting for 90 per cent of the continent’s output. The leading producer is Egypt with 1.6 million tonnes in 2024 (66 per cent of the regional total), followed by Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia.

Africa's capacity to produce aquatic animal foods is still limited to 9.1 kg per person per year – less than half the global average of 21.1 kg per person per year in 2023. Africa, however, maintains a positive trade balance (US$2bn) and a net gain in protein (126 000 tonnes), as it exports high-value commodities and imports low-value, yet nutrient-rich, aquatic animal products that support food security and nutrition. 

Africa's fisheries and aquaculture industry is primarily led by small-scale operators. Small-scale fisheries form the backbone of both marine and inland production systems, driving local economies and food distribution, supporting household nutrition, subsistence activities and informal markets. Women play a particularly important role in post-harvest activities such as processing and marketing.

“When accounting for the full value chain, including informal and subsistence activities, the sector supports tens of millions of livelihoods across the African region, both directly and indirectly,” says Abebe Haile-Gabriel. “Strengthening fisheries and aquaculture will be essential to meet growing demand, improve food security and sustain livelihoods across Africa.”

Poultry producers across sub-Saharan Africa can now access grandparents production. (Image source: Cobb)

Advancing poultry production, food security and agricultural development across East Africa, Cobb-Vantress and Irvine’s Group have opened Cobb East Africa Limited, a joint venture Grandparent Facility located in Naibili Village, Siha District, Kilimanjaro Region 

As a result of the combined investment, the facility will bring international-scale poultry genetics expertise to Africa. When a dynamic market for affordable protien like East Africa's has to wait for breeding stock imported from overseas, logistical and supply chain gaps become exposed. One of the rapidly evolving poultry market, a genetics supply base will make a huge difference for East Africa as it will eliminate the need for overseas dependence when the source becomes available at hand.

With the new facility becoming operational, poultry producers across sub-Saharan Africa can now access to grandparents production in support of generating parent stock. This will give producers a competitive edge empowered by reliable supply chains, shorter lead times and heightened market engagement. 

The proximity of the facility also enables stronger on-the-ground technical support and closer collaboration with Cobb specialists — helping customers achieve improved flock performance and productivity at farm level.

“The opening of Cobb East Africa represents a major step forward in our long-term commitment to the African poultry industry,” said Shelby Watkins. “This investment is about more than expanding production capacity, it is about strengthening food security, supporting local farmers, creating sustainable employment opportunities, and helping make high-quality protein more accessible and affordable for families across East Africa. We are proud to partner with the region as it continues to grow and develop its agricultural potential.”

Theo Bezuidenhout added: “This is the culmination of years of planning and shared vision. The impact on local employment and economic activity has already been significant, and we believe this is only the beginning for what Cobb East Africa can deliver for the region.”

Craig Irvine, CEO of Irvine’s Group, said the joint venture was the natural culmination of a relationship stretching back to 1962. “Irvine’s Group has distributed Cobb genetics across Africa for more than six decades. We know this market deeply, and Cobb East Africa demonstrates what is possible when you combine that knowledge and experience with the world’s finest poultry genetics.”

Will Sawyer said “Facilities like Cobb East Africa help position us to better support customers through improved surety of supply and enhanced service capability, as the poultry industry in East Africa continues to show strong potential for growth.”

Approximately 140 jobs have already been created through the development of the facility, with 98% of employees being Tanzanian citizens, contributing directly to local economic activity and improved livelihoods in surrounding communities.

Tsetse eradication restores Senegal's livestock quality.

Livestock production has remained a challenge for decades in Senegal’s Niayes region owing to the trypanosomosis-carrying tsetse flies, with infection rates at 28% affecting both income and food generation 

These pests severely harm cattle productivity, leaving farmers with no choice but to go with low-yield, disease-tolerant breeds. To get rid of the deadly swarm of tsetses, the Government of Senegal launched a long-term campaign with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture.

Ongoing for over a decade now, the programme has started showing positive changes with a 99% reduction in tsetse populations in the Niayes. The initiative was carried out in partnership with Senegalese institutions, namely the Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA), and national veterinary services, as well as the Centre de coopération internationale en recherche agronomique pour le développement (CIRAD), France. Additional financial support was provided to the United States of America and France through IAEA Peaceful Uses Initiative.

Following more than ten years of sustained field activities, two socio-economic impact assessments were conducted, one with the support from FAO and the other from CIRAD, to evaluate how livestock systems and rural livelihoods had changed in the absence of the tsetse fly. The studies were carried out by agro-economists from the Bureau d’Analyses Macro-Économiques (BAME) at ISRA, alongside social scientists and entomologists from CIRAD.

“The assessments provide clear evidence that vector suppression has transformed livestock production systems in the Niayes region, with significant improvements in productivity, income and animal health. Sustaining these achievements will be critical, but the results already show how strategic investments and partnerships can drive long-term change in Senegal’s livestock sector,” said Adji Maréme Gaye, Epidemiologist at the FAO office in Senegal.

With trypanosomosis under control, farmers rapidly adapted their practices. Whereas previously only trypanotolerant local breeds could survive, the absence of the disease enabled the introduction of higher-yield dairy and meat cattle.

Before the intervention, exotic breeds accounted for just 1.5% of herds. Today, they represent more than 27% in some farming systems. At the same time, herd sizes have decreased by up to 49%, reflecting a shift towards more efficient and market-oriented production systems that place less pressure on land and natural resources.

Modern dairy farming has expanded rapidly in parallel. Since 2017, 904 modern dairy farms have been established in the Niayes region, representing nearly three-quarters of such operations nationwide.

This transformation has been accompanied by dramatic gains in productivity, with milk sales in some systems increasing from just 157 litres to over 2,100 litres per cow annually, driven by the growing presence of higher-yield exotic breeds.

“Conventional vector control could suppress tsetse populations, but it was the sterile insect technique that allowed Senegal to push past suppression toward eradication, breaking the cycle of reinfestation for good,” said Chantel De Beer, Technical Officer at the Insect Pest Control Laboratory of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre. “The Niayes campaign shows that with sustained investment and partnership, eradication isn't just a technical possibility, but it is an achievable outcome that transforms entire livestock economies, from household income to herd health to the dairy sector itself.”

Cost-effective formulation for broiler chickens in Tanzania.

In a relief for farmers when it comes to tackling huge feed expenses, White Frank of Afrimix Animal Feeds has developed a locally-sourced poultry feed formula that can cut production costs by 20 per cent

The innovation comes after a decade-long experiment that resulted in a cost-effective formulation for broiler chickens to reach market weights.

While established poultry feed brands currently retail for between 80,000 and 110,000 Tanzanian shillings per bag, depending on category and quality, Afrimix is aiming to launch its products in the price range of 70,000 and 75,000 shillings per bag. The strategy centers on maintaining quality while making feed more affordable for both small-scale and commercial producers.

Comprised largely on locally sourced ingredients, the feed formula empowers farmers by eliminating expensive commercial and imported inputs. Coming at a time when rising costs pose a challenge, this is a win for the industry as a whole.

Frank’s research has received scientific acknowledgement as product development was supported by an initial grant of US$5,700 through the MAKISATU programme coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Researchers from Sokoine University of Agriculture were also involved in developing the new formulation, which helped broiler chickens reach market weights of between 1.5 and 2 kilograms within commercially acceptable periods, declining production costs by approximately 20 per cent compared to conventional feeding systems. 

According to Frank, weight-based pricing would motivate farmers to adopt innovations that enhance productivity.

The Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Ambassador Bashiru Ally recently announced that the country now operates 27 poultry breeding farms, including 25 parent-stock farms and two grandparent-stock farms, alongside 28 hatcheries.

Afrimix's next goal is to attain commercial production in collaboration with the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology. Frank has identified that more than half of Tanzania’s poultry feed market remains untapped, which can be leveraged by local manufacturers. The company plans to begin distribution in Dar es Salaam, Coast Region, and Morogoro before expanding to Dodoma, Singida, Kilimanjaro, and Arusha.