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ECOWAS regional animal health strategy development

Overview

In October 2026, animal health networks within the ECOWAS region convened in Lomé, Togo, to address the surveillance and control of transboundary animal diseases. The initial meeting focused on strengthening regional governance and adopting strategic tools, such as an electronic platform for the Regional Animal Health Information System (RAHIS), to improve data sharing and decision-making.

Following these discussions, ministers from seven ECOWAS member states adopted three regional strategies. These include action plans for 2027–2031 to prevent and control foot-and-mouth disease and highly pathogenic avian influenza. The strategies also include a plan through 2030 for the protection and conservation of donkeys, involving strengthened national laws and cross-border cooperation to ban the trade in donkey skins. The Regional Animal Health Centre (RAHC) is tasked with coordinating these efforts through a ‘One Health’ approach to harmonize legislative frameworks and improve epidemiological surveillance.

Entities

Regional Animal Health Centre · Lomé · West African Health Organisation · Economic Community of West African States · ECOWAS

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    ECOWAS ministers adopt regional animal health strategies

    ECOWAS ministers in Lomé have adopted three regional strategies to control foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, and to protect donkey populations through 2030.

  2. [HEALTH] 2 sources
    ECOWAS animal health networks meet in Lomé to combat transboundary diseases

    Animal health experts and ECOWAS officials met in Lomé, Togo, to strengthen regional surveillance and coordination against transboundary animal diseases to protect food security.

Sources

ecowas.int · emedia.sn · lacinquieme.tg · oriinfos.com · togopresse.tg