Africa launches the Pan-African Program for the Eradication of PPR by 2030

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With the establishment of the Pan-African Program for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR-PAPS), Africa has taken a historic step toward protecting its livestock sector. This edition highlights the commitment of African leaders, experts, and partners, all determined to end PPR, strengthen food security, and empower rural communities.

Africa has taken a decisive step toward safeguarding its livestock and protecting the livelihoods of rural communities with the official launch of the Pan-African Program for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR-PAPS), held in Addis Ababa on February 3, 2025.

Co-organized by the African Union Commission (AUC), the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the African Union (UA-IBAR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE/WOAH), the European Union (EU) , this launch marks a historic commitment to eradicating the disease by 2030.

The event brought together ministers of agriculture and livestock, African Union commissioners, members of the Pan-African Parliament and development partners, underscoring the collective political will to tackle a disease that threatens the very foundations of small ruminant production on the continent.


The official launch of the Pan-African Program for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Control of Other Priority Diseases of Small Ruminants marks a turning point for the future of livestock farming in Africa. More than just a program, it is a strategic choice to ensure food security, boost rural economies, and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems.

Each year, PPR causes an estimated $1.45 billion in losses, directly threatening the livelihoods of more than 300 million Africans, particularly smallholder farmers, women, and young people. It undermines trade, weakens biodiversity, and exacerbates poverty and food insecurity.

As Dr. Godfrey Bahiigwa, Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of the African Union Commission (AUC), recalled:

"PPR is not just an animal health crisis: it is a socio-economic and food security challenge for the continent. “

Voices of leadership

The ministers and representatives gathered in Addis Ababa spoke with one voice on the urgent need for collective action.

H.E. Girma Amente, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Ethiopia, emphasized:

”We eradicated rinderpest because Africa was united. Today, with the same unity and adequate resources, we can defeat PPR.“

For his part, Hon. Dr. Bright K. Rwamirama of Uganda emphasized the human and social impact of the initiative:

”The eradication of PPR  will transform the lives of women, children, and young people, who are the backbone of the small ruminant industry. "

Strategic objectives of the PPR

The program is in line with continental priorities:

  • Agenda 2063: achieving a prosperous, integrated, and resilient Africa.

  • ZLECAf: facilitating dynamic intra-African trade through healthy and competitive livestock.

  • Resilience and food security: reducing rural vulnerabilities and creating stable economic opportunities.

  • One Health: Strengthen veterinary services and surveillance to protect animal, human, and environmental health.


Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-BIRA, reiterated:

"Africa bears 40% of the global burden of PPR. We cannot afford to lose billions every year while communities suffer. Together, with political will and partnerships, we will end this disease.

Expected results

The program aims to:

  • Massively expand vaccination to achieve at least 70% coverage.

  • Strengthen veterinary and diagnostic capacities.

  • Support livestock keepers by securing their livelihoods.

  • Increase regional integration through a strengthened and dynamic livestock sector.

Côte d'Ivoire is already seeing tangible results: more than 249,000 livestock farmers affected and 26 billion CFA francs in losses per year. The country is rolling out a national program that includes mass vaccination, epidemiological surveillance, and resource mobilization. H.E. Sidi Tiémoko Touré, Minister of Animal Resources, Côte d'Ivoire, emphasized:

“Eradicating PPR is a continental duty. For Côte d'Ivoire, this program is not just about saving livestock, it is also about preserving the dignity and livelihoods of millions of families.”


Next steps: from launch to action

By 2030, the program aims to:

  • Generate continued political commitment from heads of state and ministers.

  • Ensure sustainable funding for mass vaccination.

  • Develop enhanced cross-border cooperation to contain residual PPR outbreaks.

  • Monitor and evaluate progress through a continental accountability framework.

International partners, including the FAO, OIE, ILRI, and IAEA, have renewed their commitment to epidemiological surveillance, vaccine development, and diagnostic capacity networking.

H.E. Amb. Josepha Sacko, AU Commissioner, said:

“The eradication of PPR is Africa's next historic achievement after rinderpest. It is an investment in the economic transformation and food sovereignty of the continent.”


A continental legacy

Africa has already shown the world that it can tackle the most complex health challenges by eradicating rinderpest, the first and only animal disease to be eradicated worldwide.Today, PPR is set to become the continent's next great victory.

With the support of the European Union, the African Union Commission, and numerous technical and financial partners, Africa is committed to eradicating PPR by 2030, a vision that places resilience, solidarity, and prosperity at the heart of collective action.

As Dr. Fikru Regassa Gari, representative of Ethiopia, reminded us:

“Cross-border cooperation and regional solidarity are our most powerful weapons to win this battle. Together, let's make PPR a disease of the past.”

A unified call

The eradication of PPR is more than a technical goal: it is a project of unity, prosperity, and dignity for Africa. By following in the footsteps of the historic success against rinderpest, Member States and partners can write a new victory in the history of the continent.