To address the various challenges facing the livestock sub-sector in the region, ECOWAS, with technical and financial support from the Swiss Development Cooperation, launched Phase 2 of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Program (PACBAO) this Tuesday 9th September 2025 in Accra, Ghana. The ambition is to enhance the modernization of intraregional trade in livestock and red meat, stakeholders’ capacities and skills building and the improvement of political and regulatory environment.

To recall, the livestock sector in the region is a vital part of its agricultural economy. The sector significantly contributes to food security, income, and employment, especially in rural areas. Yet, the associated challenges including import dependence and markets gaps to be addressed are still many. Cross-border corridors run through the Sahelian and coastal countries, linking livestock development areas to large urban consumption centres. These routes are severely affected by insecurity, road harassment, poor infrastructure and the mismanagement of livestock markets and abattoirs.

ECOWAS has been implementing the West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Program (PACBAO) since 2018. Indeed, the first phase of the program was implemented from 2018 to 2023 and contributed to strengthening (i) the intensification of quality beef production, (ii) the modernization of the livestock and red meat trade, and (iii) the strengthening of business links among stakeholders along the value chain. To consolidate, amplify, and sustain the achievements of the first phase, the Swiss Development Cooperation has agreed to support ECOWAS in a second phase of PACBAO for the period 2024-2028.

The Accra workshop aims to share and collectively agree on the best way to disseminate the key achievements (innovations, best practices and lessons learned) of phase 1 on the one hand and launch Phase 2 of PACBAO on the other hand.

“As we launch Phase 2 today, we must build on the achievements of Phase 1, consolidating and scaling up intervention to transform the livestock and meat sector across the region. We see PACBAO as a strategic instrument not only for food and nutrition security, but also for advancing regional trade integration, resilience and inclusive economic growth”, Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Republic of Ghana, said before declaring the workshop duly open. He also encouraged participants and all stakeholders to commit to sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that Phase 2 delivers even greater impact than Phase1.

Adding to the Minister’s remarks, Ambassador Mohamed Lawan Gana, Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Ghana, put forward that “The overall objective of the second phase of the program is to help meet the red meat and meat product needs of the populations of West Africa and the Sahel through the development of intraregional trade in livestock and red meat and the control of extra-regional imports of these products. The program will specifically facilitate regional trade in livestock and red meat along the main export corridors in West Africa and the Sahel by increasing intraregional trade flows by 30% and 15% for livestock and read meat respectively.”

Like for Phase 1, PACBAO-2 is mainly financed by the Swiss Development Cooperation amounting to 8 million Swiss francs, which is about 10 million US dollars, and which represents 53% of the program's total budget. The program runs from December 1, 2024, to October 31^st, 2028.

The workshop that will end on 11^th September 2025, brings together in Accra about sixty high-profile participants from ministries in charge of livestock from ECOWAS Member States plus Mali and Chad, ECOWAS national offices, regional organizations, federation of cooperatives of the livestock and meat sector, the private sector, farmers’ professional organizations and inter-professions, resource persons and financial and technical partners.