The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) concluded the 8th meeting of the Regional Veterinary Committee (RVC) in Lomé. Held from April 15 to 17, 2026, the meeting focused on a strategic issue for the livestock sector: the role of veterinary services in livestock identification and traceability. 

This regional meeting brought together nearly sixty (60) participants from the veterinary services of ECOWAS member states, as well as representatives of regional institutions, international organizations, technical and financial partners, and livestock sector experts. At the heart of the discussions was the need to strengthen livestock identification and traceability systems, considered essential levers for improving animal health, combating livestock theft, managing pastoral movements, preventing conflicts, facilitating trade, and supporting the sustainable development of livestock farming in West Africa and the Sahel.

For three days, experts, national directors of veterinary services, presidents of national veterinary associations, and technical and financial partners shared their experiences, reviewed ongoing initiatives, and discussed innovative solutions, particularly digital ones.

The discussions highlighted the constraints that limit the scaling up of pilot initiatives and the sustainability of livestock identification and traceability systems in West Africa and the Sahel. These constraints include: limited digital coverage in rural areas, difficulties in data collection and reliability, the sometimes unstable security context, insufficient resources, weak stakeholder ownership, and challenges in regional harmonization. At the conclusion of the proceedings, participants agreed to adopt a coordinated regional approach, under the leadership of ECOWAS, while formulating recommendations to strengthen regulatory and institutional frameworks, promote harmonized livestock identification systems, utilize digital technologies, and develop cross-border initiatives.

A regional roadmap was also adopted to support member states in implementing these systems.

It is worth noting that during the opening ceremony, officials including the Acting Executive Director of the Regional Animal Health Center, Dr. Eugène Kouassi Koffi, and the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources, and Food Sovereignty of Togo, Mr. Konlani Dindiogue, first highlighted the persistent challenges facing the livestock sector, including animal diseases, insecurity, the effects of climate change, conflicts related to access to natural resources, and market constraints. Faced with these challenges, they emphasized the importance of livestock identification and traceability as essential tools for combating these issues, improving health monitoring, and boosting productivity. They also called for the modernization of current systems through innovative solutions, including electronic devices and digital databases.

Through this meeting, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to promoting modern, resilient, and integrated livestock farming that contributes sustainably to food security, stability, and the prosperity of West African populations.