AU-IBAR calls for stronger use of livestock data across Africa

The African Union – InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources has called on African countries to strengthen the use of reliable livestock data in combating animal diseases and improving food security across the continent.

Speaking at the close of a regional training workshop on the Animal Resources Information System (ARIS) in Nairobi, AU-IBAR Director Dr Huyam Salih said African countries must move beyond collecting data and focus on ensuring information is accurate, validated, and actively used in decision-making.

The four-day workshop brought together animal health experts and ARIS advanced users from Eastern, Southern and selected West African countries under the Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

Dr Salih noted that poor-quality data continues to affect disease surveillance and response mechanisms in many countries, weakening efforts to control livestock diseases.

“Incomplete data weakens analysis, inconsistent data undermines decision-making, and unvalidated data reduces confidence,” she said.

She added that reliable information systems are essential in supporting vaccination campaigns, tracking disease outbreaks, allocating resources, and informing policy decisions within the livestock sector.

The AU-IBAR Director urged participating countries to apply lessons learned during the workshop by improving data organisation, validation processes, and utilisation of the ARIS platform at national level.

She also encouraged continued collaboration among countries and regional institutions to harmonise approaches and share best practices in animal health information management.

Dr Salih thanked the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health for supporting the initiative.

The ARIS training forms part of ongoing continental efforts to strengthen animal disease surveillance systems and support the eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants, a highly contagious livestock disease affecting sheep and goats across Africa.