Africa’s livestock sector is growing but still faces challenges, cutting across climate change, diseases, and technical capacity. AABNet addresses these challenges by creating a platform for collaboration, research, and knowledge sharing. The network, hosted by CoELIB, also champions youth agripreneurship, policy advocacy, and professional training to improve the technical capacities of stakeholders across value chains. The network's advocacy, awareness and business development pillar aligns with CoELIB’s prospects of advancing business incubation, leadership and market development, and strengthening communication media and advocacy.

During the CGIAR Science Week (7th to 12th April 2025) in Nairobi, Kenya, Prof. Alexander Kahi, Director CoELIB, presented on AABNet’s role in advocacy, awareness, and business development across the African livestock sector.

Awareness efforts cut across three interlinking areas of (1) awareness, i.e., increasing understanding, knowledge, or consciousness about particular livestock-related issues, topics, or situations through effective information-sharing; (2) advocacy, i.e., designing and implementing strategic messaging to inform, educate, and influence decision-making processes; and (3) behaviour change communication (BCC), i.e., influencing adoption and social behaviors by addressing knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Business development cuts across (1) innovating, i.e., nurturing innovative ideas and turning them into profitable ventures, (2) incubating, i.e., nurturing business start-ups by helping them survive and grow during the early development stages and (3) investing, i.e., linking enterprises to high profile investors for scale-up.

The centre’s CoELIB Incubar, African Dairy Academy, CoELIB TV and CoELIB Radio, and CoELIB Workforce development programmes have helped tackle farming and food challenges in Africa through communication, media, and advocacy to enhance livestock productivity, food security, sustainability, and socio-economic well-being.

Businesses incubated by CoELIB, including Malkia Incu-brooder, Agrisolve Data World, and MolaPlus show how advocacy, awareness and business development can bring change across the livestock sector. With over 25,000 farmers supported and the capacity of more than 50,000 youth built across 49 African countries, CoELIB’s model can be used as a scalable blueprint for livestock transformation.

Looking forward, AABNet seeks to strengthen multi-stakeholder networks, encourage farmer-led livestock business ventures, and enhance the region’s capacity to innovate in the face of global challenges.

“The time is ripe to move from success stories to system-wide transformation. AABNet is not just a platform but a movement aimed at unlocking Africa’s livestock potential through science, innovation, and inclusive business strategies.” Prof Kahi, Director CoELIB.

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