Livestock systems play a critical role in food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development in Africa. Therefore, strengthening the capacity of institutions and professionals to design climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and socially inclusive livestock systems is essential for achieving sustainable development in the continent. In response to this need, the Capacity Development Training Course organised by the LiveSys project was established to build the skills needed for climate-resilient livestock development among African Union Member States.
In February 2026, GIZ, together with ILRI, AU-IBAR, the Kenya State Department for Livestock Development and AGNES, successfully delivered the first module of the Capacity Development Training Course on Livestock Systems, Climate Change and Gender. The training targeted policymakers, government officials, ministry representatives, farmer organisations, and civil society actors, intending to strengthen their ability to understand and apply climate-resilient and gender-responsive approaches within livestock development.
About LiveSys
LiveSys is a five-year initiative (2024–2028) funded by BMZ and implemented by GIZ in partnership with ILRI, AU-IBAR, CIAT, AGNES and other strategic partners, designed to strengthen the capacity of key actors, including government officials from African Union member states, Regional Economic Communities, livestock producer organisations, and national focal points for the Rio Conventions to develop policy instruments and financing mechanisms for climate-resilient, biodiversity-friendly, and gender-responsive livestock systems.
Importance of Livestock in Africa
Across Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture, including livestock, accounts for a large share of livelihoods and remains the backbone of rural economies. Beyond providing meat, milk, and income, livestock systems support cultural identity, social stability, and ensure the sustainable use of vast rangelands that cover a substantial portion of the continent.
However, these systems are increasingly under pressure from climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and growing demand for food. At the same time, the livestock sector is often viewed as a major greenhouse gas emitter, while its potential contribution to climate adaptation, land restoration, and economic resilience remains chronically under-recognized in policy and financial circles.
A capacity needs assessment conducted by Dr. Fred Atieno during the Continental Policy and Capacity Stocktaking in 2025, revealed major gaps in the ability of institutions and professionals to integrate climate-smart practices, biodiversity conservation, greenhouse gas monitoring systems, and climate finance mechanisms into livestock development planning.
Building the Skills needed for Climate-resilient Livestock Development
Transforming livestock systems requires stronger institutions, better policies, and professionals who can bridge climate, agriculture, finance, and social inclusion. Policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, and producer organizations need skills to design livestock systems that are resilient, low-emission, and inclusive.
The LiveSys Capacity Development Programme covers livestock systems in a changing climate, sustainable rangeland management and biodiversity conservation, interrelationship between the Rio Conventions, influencing policy and programming and hands-on approaches to developing bankable project proposals. The curriculum is designed not only to examine risks and constraints, but also to focus on actionable solutions on resilient livestock management practices that integrate gender-responsive strategies for sustainable impact.
From Concept to Practice: Strengthening Understanding of Livestock Systems
The first module moved from foundational knowledge to practical application through six interlinked units covering the relationship between climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and livestock systems; the multifunctional role of livestock; climate-resilient livestock practices; gender equity and social inclusion; and monitoring, evaluation, and learning for sustainable livestock programmes.
The training combined expert-led lectures, case studies, and field-based learning, allowing participants to connect theory with real-world experience. Field visits at the Kapiti ILRI conservancy gave participants the opportunity to observe livestock systems in practice and analyze how climate, gender, and socio-economic factors interact in real production environments. This practice-oriented approach helped participants understand that livestock systems are not only sources of food and income, but also key entry-points for climate adaptation, land restoration, and biodiversity conservation.
Integrating Climate, Gender, and Evidence into Livestock Policy
A key lesson emerging from the training series is that sustainable livestock development must address multiple priorities at once. Climate change, biodiversity conservation, gender equality, and economic development are intricately linked, yet policies often treat them separately. As a result, opportunities to design more effective and inclusive programmes are frequently missed.
Participants reported that the training helped them see how they can integrate climate and gender considerations into policy formulation, programme design, and institutional planning.
One participant, Otiteh Mercey, Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in Nigeria, noted the practical value of the training, saying, “I gained more knowledge on Climate and Livestock Systems, and on Gender and Social Inclusion which I will apply in all activities, including policy decisions on issues that have to do with women and youth in interventions and other climate related programs.”
Equally important is the ability to communicate evidence clearly. Livestock systems sometimes do not make it into development discussions because actors in the sector have not been able to explain their benefits well, and at the same time, other actors perceive it as environmentally harmful. This Capacity Development Training Course will help trainees build stronger communication and advocacy skills that can help them to effectively communicate the value of livestock systems and accurately reflect them in national and international priorities.
Expanding Access to Finance and Investment for Livestock Systems
Another important barrier to transforming livestock systems is limited access to climate finance. When institutions have the capacity to prepare bankable projects and communicate the value of livestock systems effectively, they are more likely to attract funding for climate-resilient production, rangeland restoration, and sustainable value chains.
The CapDev trainings build skills in project design, monitoring, and evidence-based planning, which can help overcome this challenge by enabling professionals to develop credible investment proposals and stronger policy frameworks.
“The delivery of the training was clear and thorough. I plan to apply these skills within my department to implement projects and potentially establish a new sub-unit focused on Livestock and Climate Change,” noted Nkole Mampa, Forage Development & Rangeland Manager from the State Department of Livestock Development in Zambia.
“The module was mostly interactive, and I intend to include the climate concept in concept papers, project documents and in training at the County level,” added another participant, Hillary Chege, a Livestock Economist from the State Department of Livestock Development in Kenya.
This kind of application demonstrates how strengthening individual skills can influence policies and programmes far beyond the training itself.
What Comes Next
The February module represents only the beginning. LiveSys will deliver five additional training modules through 2026-2027, covering:
- Biodiversity/Rangeland conservation in livestock landscapes
- Rio 3 and Climate governance
- Evidence-based policy development
- Advocacy and communication
- Climate Finance for livestock sector
Participants who complete all modules will join a LiveSys Alumni Network—a peer learning community supported by ILRI, AU-IBAR, and GIZ technical advisors. The network will facilitate continued knowledge exchange, collaborative proposal development, and facilitate linkages for access to seed funding for pilot initiatives.
Crucially, the programme includes institutional follow-up. LiveSys advisors will conduct remote coaching sessions with participants’ home institutions to support the integration of training insights into actual policy documents, investment plans, and programme designs.
A Model for Long-term Transformation
LiveSys embodies a recognition that technology alone cannot transform livestock systems. Lasting change requires capable institutions, informed policies, and professionals who can navigate across climate science, agricultural practice, finance mechanisms, and social inclusion.
By investing in people, the policymakers and practitioners who shape Africa’s agricultural future, the CapDev programme aims to unlock the livestock sector’s potential as a climate solution while securing livelihoods for millions of rural families.
The experience from the first module of the Capacity Development Training shows that interactive learning, peer exchange, and field-based experience helps participants develop not only knowledge, but also the confidence to apply and design climate-smart, biodiversity-friendly, and socially inclusive livestock systems and support long-term change across the sector.