ECOWAS pushes livestock traceability systems in West Africa

TOGO – The Economic Community of West African States has concluded its 8th Regional Veterinary Committee (RVC) meeting in Lomé, calling for stronger livestock identification and traceability systems to support animal health, trade and feed value chain efficiency across West Africa and the Sahel.

Held from April 15 to 17, 2026, the meeting brought together nearly 60 participants, including veterinary authorities from member states, regional institutions, technical partners and livestock sector experts.

At the centre of discussions was the role of veterinary services in improving livestock traceability, a key enabler for managing animal health risks, facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening livestock productivity. 

Improved traceability systems are also increasingly linked to feed system efficiency, enabling better planning of feed resources, animal movement, and supply chain coordination.

Stakeholders stressed that effective identification systems are critical to tackling major sector challenges, including animal disease outbreaks, pastoral conflicts and market access limitations.

Participants highlighted several barriers to scaling such systems, including weak digital infrastructure in rural areas, data reliability issues, limited funding, security challenges and lack of harmonisation across countries.

Despite these constraints, stakeholders agreed on the need for a coordinated regional approach led by ECOWAS. 

A roadmap was adopted to guide member states in implementing harmonised livestock identification systems, with a strong focus on digital solutions such as electronic tagging and integrated databases.

During the opening session, Eugène Kouassi Koffi, Acting Executive Director of the Regional Animal Health Center, and Konlani Dindiogue, Chief of Staff to Togo’s Minister of Agriculture, emphasised the urgency of modernising livestock systems.

They cited persistent challenges, including animal diseases, climate change, insecurity, and conflicts over natural resources, noting that improved traceability would enhance surveillance, productivity, and sector resilience.

The meeting also showcased ongoing pilot initiatives and innovative technologies, particularly digital tools designed to improve livestock monitoring and data management across borders.

By reinforcing traceability frameworks, ECOWAS aims to support more structured livestock and feed systems, improve regional trade integration and enhance food security outcomes.

The bloc said the initiative reflects its broader commitment to building a modern, resilient and integrated livestock sector capable of supporting sustainable development across West Africa.

Why livestock traceability matters for feed and productivity

Livestock traceability systems allow animals to be tracked throughout their lifecycle using tools such as ear tags, electronic identification devices and digital databases. 

Beyond disease control and food safety, these systems are increasingly important for feed management and overall productivity.

In regions where pastoralism and seasonal livestock movement are common, traceability enables better planning and allocation of feed resources, helping to reduce inefficiencies and manage shortages. 

It also improves transparency across livestock and feed value chains, supporting trade and market access.

For West Africa, where livestock production is a key economic activity, strengthening traceability systems is seen as a critical step toward building more integrated, efficient and sustainable feed and livestock sectors

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