ILRI and AU-IBAR Strengthen Collaboration with New MoU on Livestock Development

Addis Ababa, February 5th, 2025 – The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and AU-IBAR have strengthened their long-standing collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This milestone agreement, signed during the WOAH Regional Conference for Africa, reinforces their commitment to advancing livestock development and animal health across the continent.

A Strengthened Partnership for Livestock Development
ILRI, a non-profit international research institute co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, is at the forefront of livestock research to improve food security and alleviate poverty in Africa and Asia. AU-IBAR, a specialised technical agency of the African Union Commission (AUC), is crucial in coordinating the sustainable use of animal resources among AU Member States. The newly signed MoU strengthens the alliance between these two significant stakeholders in livestock and animal health, paving the way for more structured and effective collaboration.
Speaking during the signing, AU-IBAR’s Director, Dr. Huyam Sahil, and ILRI’s Dr. Fabian Kausche (Deputy Director General – Research and Innovation, who represented ILRI’s Director General) both noted that, over the last decade, ILRI and AU-IBAR have collaborated on various projects, including research, capacity building, livestock master planning, feed assessment, policy and strategy development, animal health and welfare, and One Health approaches. The MoU builds on these accomplishments by establishing a strategic framework for further collaboration.

Key Areas of Cooperation
The agreement outlines several priority areas where ILRI and AU-IBAR will work together, including:
1. Conducting joint research and innovation to address difficulties in livestock systems, climate change resilience, feed and fodder production, animal genetics, animal health, veterinary services, and One Health approaches.
2. Improving animal resource governance and management through better data availability and use.
3. Developing and conducting training programs for livestock industry stakeholders to enhance capacity.
4. Assist with policy development and implementation, including support for governance frameworks such National Livestock Master Plans and Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.
5. Facilitating technology transfer and scaling up innovations to enhance cattle productivity and health.
6. Foster resource mobilisation and public-private partnerships by collaborating with governments, development partners, and private sector actors to support priority initiatives.
7. Increased awareness and advocacy for animal resource management through knowledge exchange, investment prioritisation, and policy engagement.

Supporting the AU’s Livestock Development Strategy
The collaboration is consistent with important continental frameworks such as the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) 2015-2035 and the Animal Health Strategy for Africa 2019-2035. AU-IBAR has been instrumental in the development of these techniques, and ILRI's research-driven approach supplements these efforts by delivering evidence-based solutions for long-term livestock development.
The goals of AU-IBAR are perfectly aligned with ILRI's Corporate Strategy 2024-2030, which focusses on unleashing the potential of sustainable livestock for better livelihoods and a healthier environment. The collaboration will help to shape policies, scale up technologies, and ensure climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly livestock systems that benefit over 300 million people in Africa.

Looking Ahead
The Memorandum of Understanding between ILRI and AU-IBAR is a forward-thinking move towards increasing continental partnership in livestock and resource development. By exploiting each other's strengths, both institutions want to hasten the transformation of Africa's livestock sector, assuring food security, economic growth, and resilience to impending threats such as climate change and zoonotic disease.
This agreement lays the groundwork for future collaborative activities and demonstrates ILRI and AU-IBAR's commitment to driving effective research, policy development, and innovation for the benefit of Africa's livestock-reliant populations.