1st African Pastoral Markets Forum

At a continental level, livestock contributes to about 25% of agricultural GDP in sub-Saharan African and accounts for 30-80% of agricultural value added in various countries therefore underscoring its centrality to the national economies and remains one of the fastest growing segments of the agri-food system, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and dietary shifts. The livestock systems support over 268 million pastoralists and agro-pastoralists across Africa, and offers livelihoods to up to 65% of the population in production, trade and services. This, therefore, not only positioned the sector as a social safety net but as a continent-wide economic infrastructure for both rural and urban markets.

In spite of this scale, there is a disconnect between the livestock resource endowment and its commercial performance. Africa holds a significant share of global livestock resources yet contributes a small share to the global meat markets. This gap reflects systemic inefficiencies in market integration, value addition, trade and investment flows which suppresses value realization. On the other hand, it defines a clear pipeline of investible opportunities. 

The African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform, has therefore designed the 1st African Pastor al Markets Forum to address this gap by repositioning pastoral livestock systems as bankable, and a trade-driven sector by creating a continental marketplace for investment, partnerships and deal-making. Further, the Forum will shift the narrative and practice from policy discourse to market activation, aligning public policy, private capital and enterprise development towards unlocking the sector’s full commercial potential.

Objectives

The Forum aims to catalyse investment, strengthen market systems and unlock trade in Africa’s pastoral livestock sector by bringing together investors, enterprises, policymakers and market enablers on a single continental platform.

Anchored by AU-IBAR, as the lead convenor, the Forum specifically seeks to:

1. Position pastoral livestock as an investible sector through evidence, market intelligence and business case articulation.
2. Showcase bankable business models and enterprises across livestock value chains.
3. Facilitate deal-making and investment matchmaking between investors and enterprises.
4. Align policy and regulatory frameworks with market and investment needs.
5. Promote investments in enabling infrastructure, including cold chain infrastructure, logistics and traceability.
6. Elevate livestock within continental priorities such as AfCFTA, water systems and rangeland sustainability. 

Thematic focus

The Forum will focus on high-impact themes that directly unlock trade, strengthen market systems, and drive investments in pastoral livestock rather than technical discussions. Each theme, therefore, is framed to move beyond analysis towards commercial viability and bankable opportunities.

Ministerial segment: Accelerating livestock trade facilitation and market activation under the AfCFTA

Provide a high-level platform for participating governments to position livestock as a priority trade commodity and unlock its full potential across Africa. The session will align with respective national and regional actions with the AfCFTA mechanisms to enable efficient, scalable livestock trade with the expectation of delivering clear ministerial commitments on trade facilitation, regulatory reforms and market activation measures that directly support investment, enterprise growth, and increased intra-African livestock trade.

Investment in value chains and market infrastructure

Prioritize opportunities in processing, aggregation, logistics and cold chain systems that increase value capture and enable scale.

Financing models and capital mobilization

Explore practical financing pathways for livestock enterprises, including blended finance, SME lending and trade finance. The spotlight will be in structuring instruments that de-risk investments and match the realities of livestock value chains.

Livestock enterprise development and business model scaling

Highlight proven, scalable business models across pastoral livestock systems, focusing on aggregation, commercial production, and service delivery models that can attract capital and expand across markets.

Livestock trade and market integration policies

Expand intra-African and export trade through improved corridors, harmonized standards, and efficient cross-border systems with an emphasis on reducing transaction costs and unlocking scalable, formalized livestock trade flows under AfCFTA.

Digital systems and data ecosystem

Explore investments in traceability, digital trading platforms and market information systems that enhance transparency, reduce risk and improve price discovery that are considered as enablers of consistent and efficient markets.

Water, rangelands and productive assets

Position water and rangelands as economic infrastructure that underpins livestock productivity, supply reliability and long-term investment sustainability as aligned with continental priorities such as the AU Theme of Water and the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP).