11th Eastern Africa Stakeholders Workshop Charts Clear Roadmap Towards PPR Eradication by 2030

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1-3 September 2025 Eastern Africa has taken a decisive step forward in its collective journey towards eradication of  Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) by 2030. The 11th Regional PPR Eradication Stakeholders Consultative Workshop, held in Addis Ababa, convened key regional and international partners to reaffirm political commitment, strengthen regional solidarity, and translate strategies into tangible actions.

It was organised by the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), IGAD-ICPALD, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and AU-PANVAC, with the support of the European Union and other development partners, the workshop brought together veterinary authorities, policymakers, technical experts, and development partners from the IGAD and East African Community (EAC) member states in the Eastern African region.

The primary objective of this eleventh consultation workshop was to develop actionable and harmonised roadmaps to guide the implementation of national and regional PPR eradication efforts in Eastern Africa. Over three intensive days, participants assessed progress made, identified gaps, and agreed on priority actions to accelerate the eradication of PPR, a other devastating trans-boundary animal disease that continues to threaten millions of smallholder farmers and pastoralist communities across Eastern African region.

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Building upon the achievements and lessons learned from the 10th Regional Coordination Meeting held in Entebbe (2023), the Addis Ababa workshop focused on refining coordination mechanisms, enhancing surveillance and vaccination campaigns, and promoting stronger cross-border collaboration to contain and eliminate the disease.

As a result, the workshop produced a series of key outcomes designed to reinforce regional action and accountability:

✅ Updated national and regional roadmaps aligned with the Global and Pan-African PPR Eradication Programmes (PPR-GEP and PAPPEP);

✅ Harmonised vaccination and surveillance frameworks to improve cross-border disease control;
✅ Enhanced coordination mechanisms under IGAD and EAC for information sharing, monitoring, and joint action;

✅ Reinforced stakeholder engagement to sustain political will, advocacy, and resource mobilisation.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as sheep and goat plague, remains one of Africa’s most economically devastating livestock diseases, causing global losses estimated at over USD 2 billion annually. Beyond its economic toll, the disease disrupts food systems, trade, and the livelihoods of millions of rural families who rely on small ruminants for income and nutrition. Its eradication is therefore not only a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for Africa’s resilience, food security, and inclusive growth. The European Union, as a long-standing partner of the African Union and its specialised agencies, continues to play a pivotal role in funding and supporting coordinated efforts towards the eradication of PPR by 2030, reinforcing the continent’s shared vision of sustainable livestock development under Agenda 2063.

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“The eradication of PPR is not only a technical necessity but a strategic imperative for Africa’s resilience, food security, and economic growth,” Reaffirming Ethiopia’s leadership in the regional campaign, H.E. Dr Fikru Regassa, State Minister and Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, declared:“Ethiopia stands as a champion for regional solidarity, synchronised action, and collective responsibility to eradicate PPR by 2030,protecting livelihoods and strengthening Africa’s agri-food systems.”

Representing AU-IBAR’s Director, Dr Annie Lewa, Senior Programmes and Projects Officer, echoed this resolve, calling for sustained cooperation and investment:

“AU-IBAR calls on governments, partners, and communities to unite efforts, align strategies, and sustain investment to transform the livestock sector, eradicating PPR and securing food, livelihoods, and resilience for Africa.”

The workshop culminated in a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at guiding the next phase of PPR eradication in Eastern Africa. Among the most notable were:

  • Strengthening IGAD-EAC collaboration to ensure harmonised cross-border actions and policy coherence;
  • Scaling up surveillance and diagnostics through enhanced laboratory capacity, molecular epidemiology, and digital reporting tools;
  • Improving vaccine access and quality assurance, with AU-PANVAC playing a central role in validation and coordination;
  • Mobilising sustainable financing, encouraging Member States to allocate 30% of national eradication budgets and leverage donor partnerships;
  • Boosting advocacy and communication to translate technical progress into evidence-based policy influence and public awareness.

As conclude, the 11th Regional PPR Stakeholders Workshop represents a critical milestone in advancing continental and regional commitments under the Global PPR Eradication Programme and Agenda 2063. By fostering collaboration, sharing innovation, and mobilising resources, Eastern Africa continues to demonstrate that a PPR-free Africa by 2030 is not just an aspiration  it is an achievable goal within reach.