At country level, RAHC actions are supported by the veterinary laboratory network (RESOLAB-Laboratory Network) and the epidemiosurveillance network (RESEPI), which were created in 2007 with the support of FAO and AU-IBAR.

RESOLAB aims to strengthen and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of veterinary diagnostic laboratories, improve communication among them and with epidemiosurveillance networks, foster emergence of expertise in animal disease diagnosis and promote regional synergy by breaking down the silo-working mentality and encouraging networking among professionals.

The Regional Veterinary Committee (RVC) established by the ECOWAS Commission in 2010 completes the regional institutional set-up, thus enabling the ECOWAS Commission, through RAHC, to coordinate animal health initiatives in the region. These networks are assembled within the regional animal health networks, commonly known as RAHNs, which meet annually.

The 8th RAHN, held in Cabo Verde, focused on the situation, challenges and prospects for the control and eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Rabies, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP), priority animal diseases in the ECOWAS region.

The meeting enabled all actors involved in the fight against animal diseases to evaluate the efforts made in 2021/2022 since the last annual meeting. Overall, it was noted that the epidemiological situation in the ECOWAS region improved in 2022, with a decrease in the total number of outbreaks reported compared to last year (40% of Foot and Mouth Disease, 13% for PPR and 38% for Rabies. Stakeholders also committed to improve the epidemiological situation and reduce the risks associated with animal diseases and their products.