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Africa Public-Private Partnership Forum in the Veterinary Domain (AF3P)

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The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) have inititated a groundbreaking initiative dubbed: The Africa Public-Private Partnerships Forum in the Veterinary Domain (AF3P). This innovative forum represents a collaborative effort to revolutionise Veterinary Services, animal health, and welfare systems across the continent.

Overview of the participants at the orientation meeting - Aperçu des participants à la réunion d'orientation.

A Continent in need.

Africa’s livestock sector is the backbone of the continent’s food security and economic growth. Yet, challenges in animal health management, disease control and veterinary services continue to plague the sector. The AF3P initiative embodies WOAH and AU-IBAR’s commitment to overcoming these challenges through collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise.

Africa’s vast veterinary domain faces unique challenges, including infectious diseases, limited access to quality veterinary services, and emerging zoonotic threats. Addressing these challenges requires an unprecedented level of collaboration and innovation—a synergy of public and private sector efforts. AF3P aims to create a continental platform for this purpose, fostering dialogue, sharing innovative solutions, and promoting sustainable practices.

The Orientation Meeting

On 4 April 2024, a first orientation meeting was held. The hybrid orientation meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from regional economic communities (ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC), international organisations (GALVmed, ILRI, STDF, WTO, LVIF), among others.

The energy was palpable as participants discussed their shared vision for a robust veterinary sector built on public-private partnerships (PPPs). The meeting focused on finalising the forum’s governance structure, exploring avenues for sustainability, and charting a clear roadmap for the future.

Key Highlights

  1. Broad Participation: Representation from ECCAS, ECOWAS, IGAD, SADC, and several key organisations such as GALVmed, ILRI, LVIF, and more.
  2. Unified Vision: Discussion on the essential roles and contributions of each stakeholder in building a robust veterinary sector through PPPs.
  3. Operational Framework: Initiatives to finalise a cohesive structure for the forum that promotes sustainable and effective partnerships.
  4. Future Roadmap: Setting key deadlines, with the ultimate goal of launching the forum on 28 November 2024, during the continental conference on veterinary workforce development in Nairobi : “Towards a more resilient veterinary workforce for Africa 2024”.

Milestones achieved:

The meeting marked a significant step forward. Stakeholders actively engaged in discussions, leading to:

  1. Strong Stakeholder Engagement: A platform was established for open communication, ensuring everyone’s voices were heard and collective goals were aligned.
  2. A Cohesive Framework: The operational framework, governance structure, and participation guidelines for AF3P were discussed and solidified, paving the way for a well-structured and efficient forum.
  3. Sustainability planning: The meeting explored proactive planning to address potential challenges and strategise solutions to ensure AF3P’s long-term success.

Our Call to Action: Join us in shaping the future.

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The AF3P welcomes both private and public sector entities to join this transformative initiative.

  1. To Private Sector:  The AF3P offers a unique opportunity and platform to contribute your expertise, resources, and innovations. Collaborate with public sector partners, shape the future of veterinary care in Africa, and explore exciting business opportunities within a supportive ecosystem.
  2. To Public Sector: Engaging in the AF3P enables you to leverage the dynamism and efficiencies of the private sector. This forum allows you to expand the reach and impact of your initiatives, share best practices, and jointly, find creative sustainable solutions to veterinary challenges.

Veterinarian at a dairy farm - Vétérinaire dans une ferme laitière

Why Participate?  

Because together, we can:

  1. Influence Policy and Practice: Contribute to shaping policies and practices that will make a real difference in animal health across Africa.
  2. Collaborate with peers: Connect and engage with a diverse network of stakeholders who share your vision and are dedicating to enhancing animal health and welfare.
  3. Drive Sustainable Change: Be part of initiatives that deliver long-lasting change and sustainable progress in Veterinary Services.

The road ahead

With the groundwork laid and a clear vision established, AF3P is poised to revolutionize veterinary care in Africa. Consultations with industry associations and private sector stakeholders will continue to refine the approach and ensure broad-based support.

The official launch is scheduled for November 28th, 2024, at the “Towards a more resilient veterinary workforce for Africa 2024”in Nairobi, Kenya.

Get Involved

Whether you’re a private company or a public sector organisation, your contribution is invaluable.  Join us in shaping the future of veterinary health and well-being in Africa.

Contact Us

Interested in becoming a part of this continental initiative? Reach out to us at [email protected] for more information on how to get involved.

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