The format of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture was designed to balance high-level policy setting, academic research dissemination, and commercial engagement, and focussed heavily on cross-sector collaboration.
Expert sessions framed the core continental challenges, such as food security agendas and feed solutions, with an extensive programme featuring 15 specialised sessions, covering climate-smart livestock systems, genetic improvement, and digital tools in agriculture, and over 140 individual presentations.
Dedicated industry pavilions allowed commercial stakeholders to showcase disruptive technologies, feed additives, and products.
There were networking sessions to bridge the gap between researchers, policy regulators, funding donors, and youth innovators.
“It was a great pleasure and privilege to meet and engage with Professor Mizeck Chagunda whose wealth of knowledge and experience in animal agriculture made our conversation truly enriching.
I greatly valued the opportunity to gain fresh ideas and perspectives on the future of sustainable animal agriculture, livestock production, research, and innovation across Africa.”
Animal Scientist and Researcher
CTLGH Representation
Professor Mizeck Chagunda, Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) Director, facilitated strategic collaborations to align international genetics research with practical applications for African stakeholders, together with representatives from our Strategic Partners.
- Professor Mizeck Chagunda, Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) chaired a Panel Discussion on “One Health, Climate Change and Sustainable Livestock Systems”, which explored climate-smart systems, disease control, and tropical genetics.
- Dr. Getinet Tarekegn, Geneticist & Bioinformatician, SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College), presented a session “Genetic Evaluation Platform: A Pathway to Transforming Animal Agriculture in Africa”, which demonstrated how proper evaluation platforms can fast-track breeding gains across African livestock systems instead of relying on trial and error.
- The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) showcased innovations in alternative feed resources, such as High-Quality Cassava Peel (HQCP) and resilient forage options.
Conference Takeaways
Investment Deficits: Stakeholders stressed that public investment across the continent’s livestock value chains remains critically low despite its massive potential for rural employment.
Need for Digital Infrastructure: Transitioning from manual records to digital market intelligence and data-sharing networks is vital for fair pricing and producer profits.
Sustainable Transformation: Future food security depends on producing smarter through genetic adaptation and localised feed solutions rather than scaling traditional inputs alone.
Professor Mizeck Chagunda, was elected Interim President of the All Africa Society of Animal Production (AASAP) and expressed his appreciation.
“A huge thank you to the Local Organising Committee of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, and to the Executive Committee of the All Africa Society of Animal Production, for work well done.
Thanks to all sponsors and supporters, and to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for hosting the conference and for the honour of your presence. Thank you to all the participants. I hope that we all take home a message and lessons from the conference.
Thank you also to the AASAP and the AGM thereof for the trust and confidence in appointing me as Interim President of the Society. With your support, I Will Try.”
Professor Mizeck Chagunda, Director, Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics & Health (CTLGH), and Chair of Tropical Livestock Genetics, University of Edinburgh
The 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture (AACAA) was supported by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development (FMLD) and the Africa Society of Animal Science (ASAS).
Watch an extract of AACAA 2026 which was streamed on YouTube: