The Hailemariam & Roman Foundation (HRF) convened a high-level side event at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali on “Transforming Africa’s Livestock Economy: Market Linkages, Value Addition and Inclusive Growth.”
The event brought together policymakers, experts, development partners and private-sector leaders to explore how Africa can unlock the economic potential of its livestock sector and make it a stronger driver of investment, jobs and inclusive growth.
Opening the discussion, H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Board Chair of AGRA, CGIAR, TradeMark Africa and the AFS Forum Partners Group, called for greater investment, stronger market linkages and value addition, emphasizing that “Africa has enormous livestock wealth, but we have not yet fully converted that wealth into economic value.”
The discussion highlighted the importance of stronger partnerships linking producers, processors, businesses and consumers, alongside regional trade and innovation, to ensure that more value is captured within Africa.
