From Commitment to Action: Africa Launches the Continental PPR Advisory Committee and Designates Its First Continental PPR Champion

Nairobi, Kenya 17–19 December 2025 - Africa has taken a decisive and historic step toward the eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) with the official launch of the Continental Advisory Committee on PPR (CAG) in Nairobi. The high-level meeting convened Ministers responsible for livestock and animal resources, senior government officials, technical experts, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and development partners, reaffirming a shared ambition: a PPR-free Africa by 2030.

PPR remains one of the most devastating transboundary animal diseases on the continent, disproportionately affecting pastoralists, smallholder farmers, women, and youth who depend on small ruminants for income, food security, and resilience. Beyond animal health, the disease continues to undermine rural livelihoods, trade, and socio-economic stability, particularly in regions characterised by transhumance and cross-border livestock movements.

Strengthening Continental Governance and Political Leadership

The establishment of the CAG marks a major milestone in strengthening continental governance and accountability for PPR eradication. Conceived as a strategic advisory and oversight mechanism, the Committee is mandated to provide policy guidance, sustain high-level political engagement, and bridge political commitment with effective technical implementation at continental, regional, and national levels.

Participants underscored that PPR eradication is not a purely sectoral endeavour, but a strategic development priority intrinsically linked to food sovereignty, economic resilience, social stability, and the dignity of pastoral and agropastoral communities. Given the transboundary nature of the disease, Member States reaffirmed that no country can succeed in isolation, and that coordinated and harmonised action along livestock corridors, markets, border areas, and shared episystems is indispensable.

A key highlight of the meeting was the strong emphasis on sustaining political momentum through the PPR Champions initiative. Participants welcomed the designation of H.E. Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, as Africa’s first continental PPR Champion a strategic lever to accelerate political decision-making, resource mobilisation, and accountability at the highest level.

The President was represented at the meeting by H.E. Prof. Abderahim Awat Atteib, Minister of Livestock and Animal Production of Chad, who reaffirmed his country’s strong commitment as a major pastoral nation and strategic livestock corridor. He emphasised intensified vaccination, strengthened community engagement, and enhanced cross-border cooperation as essential pillars for achieving PPR eradication by 2030.

Strong Ministerial Engagement from Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria

The ceremony was further strengthened by the active participation of key Member States, reflecting broad continental ownership.

The Minister of State for Animal Industry of the Republic of Uganda highlighted the central role of small ruminants in rural economies, describing goats and sheep as the “village bank” for millions of African households. He stressed that losing these assets to PPR deepens poverty and vulnerability, making collective continental action an absolute necessity.
The representative of the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development of the Republic of Kenya, speaking on behalf of the host country, reaffirmed Kenya’s strong national and continental commitment. He underscored sustained domestic investments in vaccination, surveillance, and veterinary services, and emphasised the importance of regional solidarity to protect livelihoods and secure food systems.
The representative of the Minister of Livestock of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stressed the importance of accountability, data governance, and results-based implementation, noting that while scientific tools exist, strong continental mechanisms for responsibility and performance tracking are essential to success.

From Commitment to Delivery

Through the Nairobi Communiqué, Members of the CAG committed to concrete, results-oriented actions, including strengthening political leadership and national ownership, reinforcing domestic financing, accelerating cross-border interventions, operationalising the CAG governance architecture, institutionalising results-based management, advancing data governance and digital transformation, ensuring vaccine and diagnostic quality, and supporting Member States’ progression toward international recognition of PPR-free status.

The meeting concluded with a strong continental call to action, urging African Union Member States, RECs, technical and financial partners, financial institutions, the private sector, and civil society to align behind a shared results agenda and accelerate high-impact investments particularly in vaccination, surveillance, laboratory systems, data management, and cross-border coordination.

Adopted in Nairobi on 19 December 2025, the launch of the Continental Advisory Committee on PPR marks a clear shift from declarations to implementation. With strengthened governance, sustained political leadership, and coordinated action, Africa is firmly positioned to eliminate PPR, safeguard livelihoods, strengthen food security, and advance the aspirations of Agenda 2060