African Poultry Farming: A Key Sector for Food Security and Economic Growth
The poultry farming sector is essential for food security in North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, where poultry consumption accounts for 41% of protein from meat. The sector is also a significant employer, offering opportunities for small family farms... but it is hampered by a certain dependence, as a large part of the cereals used to feed poultry are still imported," notes Sahar Mechri, CEO of Managers, during a webinar held on March 26, 2025, on the theme "African Livestock in the Era of Transformation: Innovating, Performing, and Prospering" with participants from Senegal, Mauritania, and Tunisia, as part of the Wings Growth Boost seminar series organized by Managers with the ambition of highlighting collaboration opportunities between Tunis, Dakar, and Nouakchott within the framework of the WING4Africa program, supported by the Qawafel project funded by the AFD and implemented by Expertise France.
To launch the debate, which she moderates, she poses the key questions that represent the major concerns of African livestock farming: How can we make this sector more resilient? How can we make it more profitable? How can we substitute local products for imported ones? How can we achieve self-sufficiency?
Mohamed Lemine Vayda: "Regional Collaborations on Value Chain Mechanisms"
"These challenges are a priority in Mauritania. The role of livestock farming is very important, with 20 million heads of cattle and exports worth $900 million, mainly to Senegal," reacts Mohamed Lemine Vayda, Director of External Trade at the Mauritanian Ministry of Commerce and Tourism and international trade expert.
"The sector has great potential in our country. We export 5 million hides to China. To valorize the sector, we have negotiated preferential agreements with the European Union to export to it without customs duties. This is also the case with the USA. We have a sanitary certification mechanism that allows investors to work in compliance with regulations. Investors can also complete administrative procedures by smartphone... but we still have some contradictions to resolve," he adds.
Vayda sees regional collaborations on value chain mechanisms as a way to address environmental and cost challenges: "Among the environmental requirements, we need to pay attention to poultry fed with GMOs. Investment challenges must be studied precisely for livestock farming." He regrets that there are no real financing mechanisms to support projects in this sector. However, he believes that the solution lies in supporting business leaders and operators, especially for abattoir infrastructure. In terms of cooperation, this seasoned negotiator is open to regional collaboration: "Our colleagues from Abidjan and Tunis are welcome to discuss plans to relaunch the sector without taboos. We can also have a triple presence in fairs and our livestock federation is ready to offer solutions."
Seynabou Drame: "Chickens are Expensive Because Their Feed is Expensive"
Seynabou Drame, a nutritionist and expert in project management and innovation, entrepreneur (Senegal), believes that innovations in animal nutrition will enable the livestock sector to respond to public health challenges: "We cannot talk about local economic development without sustainable agriculture and livestock farming. We need to work on bio-fortifying milk, optimizing omega-3 meats, and addressing accessibility issues."
According to her, the sector faces deep-seated problems. For example, when Mauritania exports sheep to Senegal, environmentalists will intervene. All dimensions of the sector are interconnected, and it has strong links with the country's overall economy: "To make livestock farming an economic lever, we need to break the circle between agriculture, health, and sustainability. It is very important to invest simultaneously in both agriculture and sustainable livestock farming. We cannot continue to consume our resources indiscriminately."
She notes that, unfortunately, innovation is not a priority, and we need to break the circle to combat malnutrition. She also warns against the persistence of accessibility problems: "Chickens are expensive. If the population does not have access to them, how can we prevent health problems? In short, we need to engage in a holistic approach; one health."
Yosra Tahri: "Our Approach Allows Us to Avoid Antibiotic Abuse"
Yosra Tahri, founder of Phytopro (Tunisia), explains how innovations in feed supplements could improve the cost of cereals for poultry: "We have two innovations underway. First, an additive based on plants that could reduce mortality rates. Second, a hydro-soluble solution that improves respiratory function and yield. Our trials have yielded spectacular results. It's a 5% increase in profitability and a 30% reduction in mortality rates. We have noted that the mortality rate in Senegal is higher than in Tunisia. By simulating the immune system, we have tested our natural product with success. Our approach allows us to avoid antibiotic abuse, which is the cause of antibiotic resistance in poultry, and by extension, in humans. It also allows us to make livestock farming more profitable and ensure the quality of meats."
She emphasizes that Phytopro's approach to limiting antibiotic use is not only a question of sovereignty but also a contribution to the global effort to resolve this international problem: "Our approach promotes the autonomy of farmers without relying on foreign products, with more accessible solutions that strengthen local African capacities and support researchers working on preserving livestock."
Cheikh Guy Marius Sagna: "Promoting Natural Medicines"
Cheikh Guy Marius Sagna, a member of parliament and advocate for poultry farming in Senegal, attests that the mortality rate of poultry is high in Senegal, from the 1st to the 35th day: "We need to scrutinize this fact in the fields, question farmers about the progression of chicks, and promote natural medicines among them. We also need to understand that the cost of cereals increases the price of poultry. If we can ensure local sources and reduce mortality rates, this could compensate for the cost of cereals and make poultry more affordable."
According to him, certain priorities need to be put in place: "We need to find bio-medicines that ensure natural treatment of poultry and have no side effects. These products are already developed by manufacturers in the region, and now we need to mobilize to commercialize them. And above all, we need to understand that the poultry sector cannot truly be developed if we do not simultaneously develop our agriculture."
Leila Ben Braiek: "A Preventive Role Against Pathologies"
"We manufacture poultry treatment units, abattoirs, and grilling machines, with five patents to date. We develop metabolic and digestive solutions, mineral supplements, specific solutions in case of pathologies or fever; these solutions are administered orally. As for anti-parasitic and cosmetic products for animals, they are administered externally," declares Leila Ben Braiek, CEO of SLPI and Meva Perfect (Tunisia). According to her, her approach is integrated, and her role is essentially preventive against pathologies, sanitary challenges, and immunodeficiency. Impact studies have proven the effectiveness of her products in pilot farms in Tunisia and Senegal.
To achieve this, she aims to strengthen the sanitary component in Senegal and Mauritania, invest in local R&D centers, but first, improve general factors: "We need to strengthen the regional regulatory framework, harmonize registration norms for products, build good distribution networks with local partners, partnerships to ensure that farmers have access to our products, training programs on optimal product use..."
Final Word: A Message of Confidence from Sahar Mechri
"Our countries are strengthening regional cooperation, as there is real potential here. There are African solutions that can improve yields and animal health, and therefore human health. Regional partners are clearly enthusiastic and willing to move forward. We carry the DNA of collaborative work within us."
