Latest news with #HuyamSalih
Zawya
18-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: AU identifies $1bln investment potential in Nigeria's feed, fodder sector
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has identified Nigeria's Feed and Fodder sector as a $1 billion investment opportunity. This was revealed during the High-Level Inventory and Investment Forum for Nigeria, held in Abuja on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Themed 'Harnessing Feed and Fodder Data for Sustainable Livestock Sector Development, Resilience, and Stability,' the forum was organised by the African Union. The AU-IBAR project focuses on boosting feed and fodder production, establishing a comprehensive feed inventory and balance sheet, and developing a data dashboard to monitor availability across six African countries, including Nigeria. According to the organisers, the initiative is designed to advance livestock development, improve food security, and stimulate growth in the feed and fodder industry. Speaking at the event, AU-IBAR Director Huyam Salih highlighted the importance of adequate feed and fodder supply, stressing that it is key to transforming the livestock sector and achieving greater productivity. He said, 'The project involves developing a feed and fodder dashboard to capture production and availability data, enabling governments to take corrective action to support the sector. 'The dashboard will help identify gaps and shortages, allowing for early warning systems to be put in place. She further stated that the project is being implemented across the 6 participating countries including Nigeria in Nigeria (West Africa), Cameroon, (Central Africa), Uganda and Kenya, (East Africa) and Somalia as well and Zimbabwe (South Africa). Salih noted that the high-level event is to hand over the feed and fodder balance and data dashboard to the government of Nigeria after being developed as one of the activities by this project. 'Feed and fodder gap in the continent is so high and represents like 48% of the challenges faced by the livestock sector in Africa,' Salih said. 'Feed and fodder is subject to different climatic factors and commercial issues, the project has worked with the International Livestock Research Institute, ILRI, to prepare the inventory and the balance sheet for the animal feed and fodder in Nigeria and other countries. 'Besides that, we have developed the animal feed and fodder dashboard which will be capturing the production and the availability of feed and fodder and where there is a gap or a shortage. 'This will be captured by the system and dashboard and the work is done in collaboration with the National Bureau for Statistics so that the government will be able to take corrective action to support the production of animal feed and fodder.' Delivering his keynote address, at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the initiative as a 'game-changer' in feed sector management, affirming its potential to drive investment, improve productivity, and strengthen the resilience of livestock farmers nationwide. 'These efforts have culminated in a reliable and scientifically validated Feed Inventory and Fodder Balance Report, providing an accurate picture of our feed resources, gaps, and opportunities,' the Minister stated. 'More importantly, this initiative has equipped us with tools to proactively plan for feed security, enhance market opportunities, and improve the livelihoods of millions of livestock farmers,' he added. Laban MacOpiyo, the animal production, natural resources management and resilience expert, AU-IBAR ij his remarks, said Nigeria has a feed and fodder deficit of almost 10 percent. The deficit according to him is largely due to distribution issues, with the northern part of the country, where most livestock are found, lacking adequate fodder, while the southern states have an abundance of feed and fodder that often goes to waste. 'Our assessment has assessed that this feed and fodder in Nigeria is a $1 billion investment opportunity,' he said. MacOpiyo explained that investing in feed and fodder can address farmer-herder conflicts, upgrade livestock production, and contribute to food security. 'Feed and fodder need to be looked at as a business. It should not be an afterthought,' he stressed. As you may know, to enhance and transform the livestock development in any African Union member state, we need first to ensure that there is sufficient feed and fodder to transform this development to make sure that there is a high productivity from the animals and the livestock. The President of the Nigerian Feed and Fodder Mult-Stakeholder Platform, Maikano Mohammed Ari, highlighted the importance of addressing the feed and fodder deficit to promote exports and food security. 'Any country that cannot feed its animals cannot feed its own people,' Professor Ari noted.
Zawya
08-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
3rd Regional Workshop on Fisheries, Aquaculture, and the Blue Economy in Africa's Development
The 3rd Awareness Enhancing Workshop on the Importance of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Blue Economy in Africa's Socio-Economic Development, is being held from 07–09 April 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together key stakeholders from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities, development partners, and civil society, and AWFISHNET South Africa Chapter to strengthen regional dialogue and action around Africa's aquatic wealth. Organized by AU-IBAR and AUDA-NEPAD, the workshop is focusing on the transformative potential of fisheries, aquaculture, and the blue economy in driving sustainable development, improving livelihoods, and contributing to food security and wealth creation on the continent. In remarks delivered by Mrs. Hellen Guebama on behalf of Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, the urgent need for increased public investment in the sector was highlighted, noting that limited funding has continued to hinder its full potential. She emphasized the importance of leveraging continental frameworks such as the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, and aligning efforts with the Malabo Declaration and Agenda 2063. Participants were called upon to champion the value of fisheries and aquaculture in their respective countries to drive visibility, awareness, and policy support. She also acknowledged the strong partnerships with development actors, including the European Union, whose support to Fisheries Governance Projects has been instrumental in uniting stakeholders towards sustainable and inclusive management of Africa's blue resources. The workshop will feature technical presentations, knowledge exchange sessions, and group work focused on policy, governance, partnerships, and awareness strategies. Key expected outcomes are the development of draft national blue economy strategies, action plans, and coordination mechanisms, setting a solid foundation for scaling investments and impact across the continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TAD) for Africa: Strengthening Collaboration Against Transboundary Animal Diseases
The 12th Meeting of the Regional Steering Committee (RSC12) of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) for Africa is underway in Mbabane, Eswatini, from March 11 to 13, 2025. This pivotal gathering brings together key stakeholders from the African Union (AU), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Research Institutes to address pressing issues in animal health across the continent. The meeting was led by an assertive bureau, comprising Huyam Salih, President of the RSC and Director of AU-IBAR, Mohammed Shamsuddin, Vice-President of the FAO, and Roland Dlamini, Vice-President of the WOAH Council. In her opening remarks, Director Huyam Salih welcomed participants and highlighted the significant achievements of GF-TADs Africa in recent years, emphasizing the power of collaboration in addressing animal health challenges. She noted that the current GF-TADs regional strategy for Africa (2021-2025) focuses on five prioritized transboundary animal diseases (TADs): African Swine Fever (ASF), Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Rift Valley Fever (RVF), and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), along with emerging diseases like Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT), and African Horse Sickness (AHS). Director Salih emphasized the need for innovative mechanisms to control TADs, involving active participation from the private sector to ensure sustainability. She highlighted updates in ASF control strategies and the Pan-African PPR eradication program, supported by the European Union. Additionally, she mentioned plans to submit a Continental Strategy for Rabies elimination in Africa by 2025, as committed during the AU STC in 2023. The establishment of AU Centers of Excellence to enhance capacity building across Regional Economic Communities (RECs) was also discussed, aligning with the vision of Agenda 2063—The Africa We Want. The meeting included discussions on governance aspects, such as recommendations from the 14th Global Steering Committee (GSC) and updates on implementing previous RSC recommendations. Proposed amendments to the RSC Terms of Reference are being considered to enhance the framework's effectiveness. The meeting also covers new country representations following recent elections, including Morocco and Nigeria as new members, and the renewal of the RSC presidency and vice presidency. The meeting focused on reporting on GF-TADs global disease control and eradication initiatives. Key diseases under discussion include ASF, FMD, PPR, RVF, and CBPP. Emerging diseases such as LSD, HPAI, and AHS are also being addressed. For instance, updates on the Continental Strategy for ASF control, recently endorsed in May 2024, and progress in FMD vaccine availability are being shared. The Pan-African PPR programme is being reviewed, with support from the European Union. The meeting emphasized the importance of private sector engagement in disease management to ensure sustainability and resource mobilization. Capacity building is another critical area, with plans to strengthen veterinary services and establish AU Centers of Excellence across RECs. These centers will assist member states in enhancing their capacities for disease control sustainably. As the meeting progresses, it is clear that the GF-TADs framework remains crucial for coordinating efforts against transboundary animal diseases. The discussions underscore the importance of collaboration and innovative strategies to tackle these challenges effectively. Key recommendations and next steps will be finalized in the coming weeks, setting the stage for continued progress in animal health across Africa. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
Zawya
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
FISH-FRIENDLY: Advancing Sustainable Fisheries through Innovative Policies in Africa
The importance of effective policies in fisheries and aquaculture was underscored at the 15th Malabo Montpellier Forum, convened on January 30th, 2025, where Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of the African Union - InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), and staff from the AU-IBAR FishGov2 and Conserving Aquatic Biodiversity in the Africa Blue Economy Projects, joined other stakeholders to deliberate on "FISH-FRIENDLY: Policy Innovations for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa." This high-level dialogue, facilitated by AKADEMIYA2063, highlighted the critical role of policies in advancing agriculture and food security, and emphasized the need for innovative and evidence-based policy approaches to unlock the full potential of the aquaculture sector in Africa. As a vital platform for high-level dialogue among policymakers, the Forum is driven by the latest findings from the Malabo Montpellier Panel, which provides key recommendations for enhancing the aquaculture sector's contribution to Africa's food systems, underscoring the importance of policies in promoting sustainable fisheries and aquaculture practices, improving food security, and reducing poverty in Africa. Dr. Salih highlighted AU-IBAR's experiences and insights acquired from successfully implementing the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PFRS) after its approval in 2014. He cited notable achievements under AU-IBAR and partner interventions in the sector, such as regional cooperation efforts through the African Fisheries Reform Mechanism, successful policy development in multiple member states, and the formation of partnerships with academic and research institutions. Dr. Salih further stated that through joint efforts and smart investments, AU-IBAR hopes to empower local communities and stakeholders, fight for equitable trade practices, and secure the long-term growth of Africa's fisheries and aquaculture industry. The challenges faced by African countries in implementing the PFRS, including inadequate data collection, insufficient funding, and limited human resources, were shared. Furthermore, she emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of overfishing, habitat degradation, and pollution, which are major threats to Africa's fisheries and aquaculture sector. He stressed that increased investment in research and development, technology transfer, and extension services is necessary to support small-scale fishers and aquaculture producers. The Director of AU-IBAR also stressed the importance of women in fisheries and aquaculture development, emphasising their contributions to the sector's growth and sustainability. AU-IBAR's involvement at the Malabo Montpellier Forum allowed it to share its experiences and lessons learnt in assisting countries with the implementation of the PFRS, as well as make recommendations for future action. The Malabo Montpellier Forum provides a platform to facilitate dialogue and exchange among high-level decision-makers on African agriculture, nutrition, and food security, and to promote policy innovation using evidence produced by the Malabo Montpellier Panel. The Forum was co-chaired by H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and H.E. Dr. Assia Ben Salah Alaoui, Ambassador at Large to His Majesty King Mohamed VI of Morocco. The Forum meets twice a year, and every meeting is guided by a technical report prepared by members of the Malabo Montpellier Panel. The panel report focuses on successful approaches, including institutional, policy, and technical innovations and programmatic interventions among African countries to enhance the role of the aquaculture sector in the transformation of food systems. The report reviewed the current state of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Africa, the sector's continental and global policy frameworks, and its policy and strategy priorities in Africa. The report includes four country case studies on Ghana, Malawi, Morocco, and Mozambique – countries that have shown success and progress in growing their fisheries and aquaculture sector. The Forum consisted of three parts: a technical part drawing on the report's findings and recommendations; reflections on the outcomes and lessons from the report; and a high-level policy roundtable composed of senior representatives from African governments, academia, development partners, civil society, and the private sector. The 15th Malabo Montpellier Forum followed COP29 and aligns with the Post-Malabo CAADP Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2035. The strategy for boosting fisheries and aquaculture in developing resilient food systems further aligns with the Africa Blue Economy Strategy, making the various recommendations timely for action. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
