Senegal plans US$1.7M livestock traceability strategy to curb theft

SENEGAL – Senegal is preparing a CFA1 billion (US$1.7 million) national strategy to combat livestock theft through animal identification and traceability technologies, adding to a growing push across Africa to digitise livestock records and tracking.

The National Integrated Livestock Development Programme (PNDIES) is preparing the strategy, with coordinator Dr Dame Sow announcing the initiative on September 24 in Fatick, according to the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).

The programme will initially test technologies including electronic chips, collars and ear tags to improve livestock identification and tracking. 

Authorities have not yet announced the launch date or the areas that will participate in the pilot.

The initiative responds to the continued economic impact of livestock theft in Senegal. 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates indicate that between 22,000 and 30,000 animals are stolen from Senegalese farmers each year, causing losses of about US$3.2 million.

Digital traceability expands across Africa

Senegal’s strategy follows several years of efforts to strengthen livestock identification and combat theft, including the creation of the Livestock Theft Prevention Unit in 2013 and stronger penalties introduced through a 2017 law.

Technology has increasingly become part of this approach.

In December 2025, Senegal validated its National Livestock Identification and Traceability System (SNITB), with FAO support, and approved a costed implementation roadmap.

The latest plans also come as West African countries pursue a coordinated regional response. 

A proposed livestock theft programme covering 2026-2030 carries a budget of more than US$345 million and would support digital livestock traceability, harmonised legal and security frameworks, and greater involvement of pastoral communities in prevention and early warning.

Senegal’s move reflects a wider African shift towards digital animal identification, although countries are applying the technology to different livestock-sector challenges.

Kenya is rolling out its Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC), which assigns individual identities to cattle, sheep and goats and records information including ownership, health status, vaccination history and movements. 

The system is intended to strengthen animal health management and disease surveillance while also helping combat livestock theft and improve access to higher-value markets.

Ethiopia has also launched a digital identification and tracking system for dairy cattle and calves in Sheger City, with the system designed to support livestock productivity, disease monitoring, breeding and traceability. 

The programme is planned to expand into selected milk-producing areas of Oromia and Amhara regions.

While Senegal’s immediate focus is livestock theft, its traceability system could also provide a digital foundation for wider livestock management, including animal movement records, disease control and more secure livestock trade as implementation expands.

The proposed strategy therefore places Senegal within a broader African movement towards individual animal identification and digital livestock records, with traceability increasingly being used as a tool for both livestock security and animal health management.

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