Weak policies and compliance gaps have been identified as major challenges discouraging investment in the livestock industry and thereby undermining the country’s food safety.
These concerns were raised at a pastoral markets forum in Abuja, organised by African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources under its Africa Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform, a four-year initiative supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to transform pastoral economies into market-driven and resilient systems.
Industry players at the forum said that while the livestock sector plays a vital role in sustainable food systems and economic growth, its potential continues to be constrained by inadequate incentives, weak enforcement of regulations and poor infrastructure.
The Managing Director of ABAT CBD Limited, Raymond Olalekan Odulate, said investors who have committed significant capital to modern livestock infrastructure are increasingly exposed to losses due to regulatory failures.
He explained that his company invested heavily in modern abattoir facilities following reforms by the Lagos State Government banning informal slaughter slabs, but illegal operators continue to thrive.
