FG Targets $74bn Livestock Economy, Seeks Science-Driven Investment for Africa's Food Security

"Sustained investment in research and technology is critical to building resilient agrifood systems, strengthening food security and driving economic growth across the continent." Maiha

.... Says "Africa's livestock resources—including an estimated 350 million cattle, 300 million sheep, 400 million goats, 20 million camels and 50 million pigs—offer enormous opportunities for investment, value addition and job creation."

A call for greater investment in science, innovation and strategic partnerships to unlock Africa's vast livestock potential, declaring that Nigeria is targeting an increase in the value of its livestock sector from $32 billion to $74 billion over the next decade.

Speaking at the opening of the 9th Africa Agriculture Science Week (AASW) and the 10th General Assembly of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said sustained investment in research and technology is critical to building resilient agrifood systems, strengthening food security and driving economic growth across the continent.

Maiha said Africa's livestock resources—including an estimated 350 million cattle, 300 million sheep, 400 million goats, 20 million camels and 50 million pigs—offer enormous opportunities for investment, value addition and job creation.

He noted that Nigeria's livestock sector has faced longstanding challenges such as low productivity, inadequate veterinary infrastructure, climate change and farmer-herder conflicts, but said the Tinubu administration is implementing bold reforms to reposition the sector as a major contributor to national development.

According to the minister, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, alongside the National Livestock Master Plan (NLMP) and the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), provides a roadmap for modernising production, expanding value chains, improving infrastructure and attracting private sector investment.

He urged investors and development partners to explore opportunities in modern ranching, dairy processing, feed production, cold-chain logistics, veterinary pharmaceuticals and digital livestock identification systems, while challenging scientists to develop climate-smart innovations, including drought-tolerant fodder, improved breeding technologies and stronger disease surveillance.

Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stressed that Africa's agricultural transformation depends on sustained investment in research, innovation and technology.

He said the Federal Government has placed agriculture at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda through reforms focused on irrigation, mechanisation, quality inputs, agricultural financing, digital agriculture and agro-industrial development.

FARA Executive Director, Dr. Aggrey Agumya, described the conference as Africa's foremost platform for scientific collaboration, warning that climate change, land degradation and economic uncertainties continue to threaten food production. He called for stronger collaboration among governments, research institutions, development partners and farmers to ensure research translates into practical solutions.

The week-long conference drew ministers, scientists, researchers, development partners and private sector stakeholders from across Africa and is expected to produce recommendations aimed at accelerating agricultural innovation, boosting investment and strengthening food security across the continent.