The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, working through its Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA) and in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, has convened a two-day regional workshop in Abuja to focus on the development of the animal feed industry across West Africa and the Sahel. The event, which ran from November 11 to 12, 2025, addressed key issues such as aflatoxin management and strategies to engage the private sector in building a sustainable livestock feed sector.
A major goal of the workshop was to advance efforts towards creating a network of livestock feed producer associations and establishing a harmonized system for tracing animal feed within the region.
Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, Permanent Secretary at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, opened the workshop by highlighting Nigeria’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation in livestock value chains. She stated: “The Federal Ministry remains committed to supporting ECOWAS and its partners in developing a structured and competitive feed industry that meets the needs of our farmers and strengthens food security in our region. Animal feed is the foundation of productive and resilient livestock systems, and Nigeria stands ready to play its part.”
Representing ECOWAS, Mr. Konlani Kanfitin, Acting Executive Director of ARAA, noted that while livestock makes significant contributions to member states’ economies, challenges remain due to high feed costs and weak regulatory frameworks. He said an efficient feed industry is necessary for modernizing livestock production.
Mr. Kanfitin pointed out that ECOWAS is addressing these challenges through initiatives like the Productive, Resilient and Safe Agropastoral Systems in West Africa (PRISMA) Project. This project is co-funded by the European Union and Spanish Cooperation (AECID), delivering results such as harmonized sampling protocols, research on traceability systems, emergency import procedures for feeds, and digital platforms for improved access.
“These results show that ECOWAS and its partners are moving from research to action, translating evidence into regional solutions that strengthen resilience and create opportunities for farmers, youth, and women,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Spain and the European Union at the workshop was Mr. Santiago Ormeño García from AECID. He commended ECOWAS’s leadership: “This workshop demonstrates the power of regional cooperation,” he said. “It reflects our shared ambition to make the livestock sector safer, more productive and inclusive. Collaboration between ECOWAS, AECID and Member States proves that integration can deliver concrete benefits for farmers, producers and families across the region.”
Dr. Fernando Escribano from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid highlighted how PRISMA builds on previous commitments made in Abidjan in 2024 regarding a regional traceability system for animal feeds. The Abuja session further developed these ambitions with discussions about laboratory networking initiatives as well as data-sharing mechanisms among member states.
Dr. Seydou Sidibé from Mali’s Institute of Rural Economy presented findings related to aflatoxin management under PRISMA; Mali’s laboratories now have capacity for rapid testing both food samples for aflatoxin contamination as well as milk samples specifically targeting aflatoxin M1 presence—a move seen as crucial progress toward ensuring safe animal feeds across West Africa.
“We are now able to carry out rapid tests for Aflatoxin in food, and our laboratory is also capable of detecting Aflatoxin M1 in milk,” Dr Sidibé explained.“Our experience shows that the PRISMA model can strengthen laboratory capacity and promote production of healthy,Aflatoxin-free feed.Other countries should take inspiration from this experience to ensure food safety for both humansand animals.”
Among tested samples analyzed by Dr Sidibé’s team—318 total—20 percent were contaminated feeds while most milk samples exceeded acceptable toxin levels.He recommended increased collaboration between labs,researchers,and greater exchangeof informationto improve quality-control throughout ECOWAS countries.
This high-level gathering consolidates four years’ worthof scientific workand policy dialogue into an agenda focusedon food safety,sustainable market growth,and deeper integration.The outcomes will help shape upcoming policy meetings including another planned session on November 13-14,in Abuja,on leveraging PRISMA results within wider agricultural prioritiesfor theregion.
Organizers emphasizedthat buildinga strongerfeedindustrywillnotonlyboostlivestockproductivityandreducerisksofcontaminationbutalsoopennewemploymentopportunitiesespeciallyforwomenandyouthintheagriculturalvaluechain.Theyalsostressedtheimportanceofaprivatesector-drivennetworkoffeedproducersforthelong-termsustainabilityandcompetitivenessoftheindustry,promotingcross-bordertradeandadvancingECOWAS’svisionofafood-secureandintegratedWestAfrica.