AU-IBAR and AAIN Advance Partnership to Operationalize Integrated Regional Livestock Value Chains Programme in Uganda

The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the African Agribusiness Incubation Network (AAIN) have commenced a joint mission in Uganda to advance the operationalisation of the Integrated Regional Livestock Value Chains (IRLVC) Programme, building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the two institutions in August 2026 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

The mission seeks to translate the partnership framework into practical operational-level interventions, identify areas of institutional and programmatic convergence, and strengthen collaboration around enterprise development within livestock and related value chains.

Central to the engagement is the positioning of women and youth as integral participants and delivery agents within the programme's broader implementation architecture. Rather than establishing parallel interventions targeting these groups, the partnership seeks to leverage existing institutional capacities, incubation structures and enterprise development initiatives to expand their participation in commercially viable opportunities across livestock value chains.

AU-IBAR recognised AAIN's experience in business incubation as an important contribution to this ambition, particularly its work in supporting enterprise development and connecting emerging entrepreneurs to market opportunities. The discussions underscored the importance of moving beyond participation-focused interventions towards commercially and economically viable enterprises that can contribute to the growth and competitiveness of livestock value chains.

AAIN outlined its ecosystem-based approach, which focuses on identifying and leveraging existing institutional, technical and market resources rather than duplicating structures or introducing parallel interventions. The Network also presented its inform, consult, incubate and co-learn operating model, providing a basis for exploring how the two institutions can align their approaches, mobilise existing capacities and support sustainable enterprise development.

The mission's programme included engagements with incubation and research institutions to demonstrate practical models and identify opportunities for collaboration. These included visits to Gudie Leisure Farm, where the delegation explored youth-friendly livestock incubation models, and the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI), where the team examined incubation and value addition opportunities across the dairy and meat value chains.

Further engagements with government institutions, universities, research organisations, and agribusiness incubators provided opportunities to identify institutional partnerships, strengthen the African Youth in Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture Incubation Network (AYLFAIN), and explore pathways to scale youth- and women-led enterprises.

The joint mission marks an important step towards translating the AU-IBAR–AAIN partnership into coordinated action. Through stronger institutional linkages, ecosystem-based incubation and a shared focus on commercially viable enterprises, the collaboration aims to strengthen the contribution of women and youth to the development of competitive, inclusive and integrated regional livestock value chains across Africa.