Investing in Pastoral Meat Markets: A High-Impact Opportunity for Climate, Nutrition & Economic Growth

Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 – Side Event

Pastoral meat markets are no longer a frontier; they are a smart investment in Africa’s food systems transformation. The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) will join leaders at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF 2025) for a high-level side event titled “Investing in Pastoral Meat Markets: A High-Impact Opportunity for Climate, Nutrition & Economic Growth.”

This event, scheduled for 3rd September 2025, is organised by the Gates Foundation under the Knowledge Hub category. The session will spotlight the untapped potential of Africa’s pastoral red meat value chains to drive climate-smart, gender-transformative, and economically viable food systems. The discussion will highlight lessons from Kenya and Ethiopia, showing how strategic investment in feed, breeding, traceability, and formal offtake systems can deliver climate resilience, nutrition gains, and inclusive economic growth for pastoral communities.

AU-IBAR’s Role
AU-IBAR’s participation reflects its strategic commitment to unlocking the potential of pastoral systems, specifically through the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform. The APMD project is strengthening livestock marketing chains in Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond, aligning pastoral value chains with continental agendas on food security, resilience, and regional trade.

This side event will showcase how the APMD’s evidence-based approaches to improving pastoral feed systems, market linkages, and knowledge sharing directly contribute to building stronger, more climate-resilient economies. Significantly, the initiative advances the implementation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LIDESA), by promoting inclusive, competitive, and sustainable livestock value chains that respond to both regional and global market opportunities.

Through this engagement, AU-IBAR and partners will highlight the untapped potential of Africa’s pastoral red meat value chains to deliver climate-smart, gender-transformative, and economically viable food systems, positioning pastoralism as a cornerstone of Africa’s growth, nutrition, and resilience.

Event Highlights
The panel will explore pathways to crowd in private and blended finance, scale up formal offtake arrangements, and integrate pastoral red meat systems into Africa’s regional food and nutrition agendas.

Speakers include:
•    Moderator: Ms. Chloe Stull-Lane, Director, Gatsby Africa
•    Dr. Huyam Salih, Director, AU-IBAR
•    Prof. Ruth N. Kiraka, Associate Professor of Management (Strategy and Entrepreneurship), Strathmore Business School
•    Ms. Felisters Gitau Mutugu, CEO, Farmer’s Choice
•    Ms. Doreen Gacheri, Founder & CEO, GENCO Livestock & Fresh Meat Export Ltd
Further information on the AFSF 2025 is available via: https://afs-forum.org/ 

Join this dynamic session to learn how investments in pastoral meat markets can reduce emissions intensity, boost pastoral livelihoods, and contribute to Africa’s GDP growth.