The African Union-Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and CAB International (CABI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve animal health, food safety, and trade across Africa.
By combining their expertise, the organizations aim to tackle daily sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) challenges and create a foundation for sustainable growth.
CABI, a global non-profit with a century of experience in agriculture and the environment, brings extensive research networks and its new 2024-2034 SPS strategy to the partnership. Meanwhile, AU-IBAR, as the African Union’s specialized office for animal resources, provides continental leadership in livestock and fisheries, backed by its role in policy and regional coordination.
The two organizations complement each other perfectly: CABI offers global knowledge and innovations, while AU-IBAR provides continental policy frameworks like the Food Safety Strategy for Africa (FSSA) and the Continental SPS Policy Framework.
The agreement will focus on several key areas, including strengthening SPS capacity, food safety policies, and inspection systems, enhancing animal health initiatives, such as controlling diseases like Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), facilitating knowledge sharing, digital advisories, and early warning systems, promoting feed quality, “One Health,” and climate-smart innovations, and supporting youth and women in agribusiness.
By aligning their strategies, AU-IBAR and CABI plan to boost intra-African trade while ensuring the continent complies with international SPS standards.
To make sure the MoU delivers real results, both institutions have committed to: Quarterly progress reviews to assess achievements. Developing a joint roadmap that builds on existing resources to avoid duplicating efforts. Calling for collaboration among African Union member states, regional economic communities (RECs), and private sector partners. Promoting “south-south” and “triangular” cooperation as a model for sustainability and cross-learning.
This partnership is a strong commitment to turning policies into practice, creating a unified position for African animal resources in the global market, and building safer, more resilient food systems.
ABJ/APA