By Senior Editor,China Africa News
Addis Ababa-Officials and experts from Africa and China gathered at the Forum on Science and Technology for African Animal Resources Management at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, urging deeper cooperation to transform Africa’s livestock sector through science and technology. The event was jointly organized by the Mission of China to the African Union and the AU’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources, and brought together policymakers, livestock specialists and representatives of research institutions from both sides to explore how collaboration can unlock the continent’s vast animal resources potential.
Addressing the forum, Moses Vilakati, the AU commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, emphasized that livestock agriculture is a linchpin of rural livelihoods, food and nutritional security, and both intra-African and international trade. He warned that without a concerted effort to modernize the sector, local industry growth could slow, job opportunities could shrink, and incomes for pastoralists who depend on livestock for their sustenance could fall, underscoring the urgency of action.
Speaking from the Chinese delegation, Jiang Feng, head of the Mission of China to the AU, highlighted advances in China’s own livestock industry, noting leaps in production efficiency, industrial quality and technological innovation. He pointed out that China’s experience in integrating modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things into animal farming could offer useful lessons for Africa’s efforts to upgrade its systems.
For Africa, the stakes are high: livestock farming remains central to the livelihoods of millions across the continent and a major contributor to food security. Deeper cooperation with China could bring access to new tools and methods that increase productivity, improve disease control, and strengthen value chains. Experts at the forum showcased technological pathways from smart farming solutions to advanced animal health approaches that could help local producers compete more effectively in regional and global markets.
The Chinese side called for enhanced partnerships across governmental mechanisms, technology exchange, and enterprise collaboration, emphasizing that sustainable transformation requires both policy alignment and private sector engagement. If these collaborative pathways take root, Africa could see not only greater productivity and resilience in its livestock systems but also expanded job creation in allied sectors such as feed production, processing and veterinary services bringing broader economic benefits to rural communities.
Looking ahead, the forum aimed to align continental priorities in animal health, production and trade with technological innovation, showcasing concrete areas for future cooperation. Success in these efforts would not only boost food security and economic prospects for pastoralists and farmers but also contribute to wider rural development, helping to reduce poverty and strengthen agricultural economies across Africa.
