Africa Advances Common Position on Resilient, and Nature-Positive Livestock Food Systems

26 August 2025 | Naivasha, Kenya

The Africa Common Position on Sustainable, Resilient, and Nature-Positive Livestock Food Systems is being developed to address long-standing gaps in climate and agricultural policy. Despite livestock contributing up to 30% of Africa’s agricultural GDP—and as high as 73% in some countries—the sector remains poorly reflected in national climate strategies. Biodiversity and gender are often overlooked, and weak data systems combined with limited access to climate finance continue to hold back progress.
This new continental framework seeks to close those gaps. By ensuring that Africa speaks with one voice in global climate negotiations, the Common Position will underscore the dual role of livestock as both a source of emissions and a solution for enhancing resilience, food security, and sustainable development.

Livestock: A Sector at a Crossroads
In remarks delivered on behalf of the AU-IBAR Director, Dr. Huyam Salih, Dr. Mary Mbole-Kariuki, the Technical Workshop on Drafting the Africa Common Position for Sustainable, Resilient, and Nature-Positive Livestock Food Systems was reminded that livestock is both a challenge and an opportunity. While the sector is responsible for significant emissions, it is also vital for millions of livelihoods, nutrition, and economic stability. With the right policies, livestock can reduce emissions, restore degraded lands, and conserve biodiversity.

She emphasised that the African Common Position is crucial for reframing livestock as part of the climate solution, integrating it into global finance and policy frameworks, and enhancing Africa's presence in international negotiations.

Building Strong Partnerships
Representing Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Dr. Stephen Dindy emphasized the importance of unity and coherence across the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and member states. He affirmed that Germany’s support, through GIZ, is guided by African ownership, inclusivity, and alignment with AU frameworks. BMZ and GIZ will continue to facilitate dialogue, build regional capacity, and mobilize resources to ensure commitments are translated into implementation.
Kenya’s representative, Dr. Maina of the State Department of Livestock Development, noted that Africa must prepare responsibly for the sharp increase in global demand for animal-sourced foods expected by 2050. He stressed that Africa should not remain on the margins of international climate negotiations but must be at the main decision-making table, securing recognition and resources for the livestock sector’s positive contributions.

Launch of the LiveSYS Initiative
The workshop also introduced LiveSYS, a continental initiative to build climate-smart livestock systems. Piloted in Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria, with additional insights from Mexico, LiveSYS is designed to transform the sector by:
•    Promoting resilient, nature-positive livestock systems,
•    Strengthening governance and climate finance flows,
•    Encouraging innovation, and
•    Tracking progress through digital dashboards on productivity, adaptation, and mitigation.
Participants also discussed the proposal to establish an African Livestock Think Tank to serve as a hub for advocacy, knowledge exchange, and coordination.

Findings from Stocktaking
A stocktaking exercise of 196 policy frameworks and survey responses from 17 countries highlighted both progress and persistent gaps. While many policies exist, integration into climate strategies is weak. Biodiversity scored a very low 1.04, and gender considerations were almost absent.
Overall capacity was rated “moderate,” but urgent needs were identified in biodiversity conservation, data management, and risk assessment. Other challenges include high staff turnover, limited financing, and fragmented policies between continental, regional, and national levels.

Strengthening Africa’s Negotiating Position
Discussions emphasized the need for stronger baseline data and supported a shift from Tier 1 to Tier 2 MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification) systems for greenhouse gas emissions. This transition, although resource-intensive, was seen as vital for giving Africa more credibility and bargaining power in international negotiations.

Participants also stressed that adaptation and resilience must be tracked alongside mitigation, given the continent’s vulnerability to climate shocks. They agreed that the Africa Common Position must be inclusive, practical, and implementable, ensuring no country is left behind.

The Road Ahead
The Naivasha workshop laid the groundwork for drafting the Common Position. By mapping national and regional initiatives, participants took the first step toward a unified African framework that will strengthen policy coherence, attract climate finance, and amplify Africa’s voice in global platforms.

As the process continues, the Common Position is expected to position livestock not as a climate liability but as a driver of sustainable development, resilience, and food security across Africa.