Addis Ababa, May 3, 2025 (FMC) — The second phase of livestock capacity building project that upgrades the livestock value chain in Ethiopia was launched on Friday.
The second phase livestock capacity building project aimed at improving competitiveness of Ethiopian meat and meat products as well as expanding market reach through strategic interventions along the livestock value chain is funded by China and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNIDO in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia.
Speaking on the occasion, Ethiopian Agricultural Authority Director-General Diriba Kuma said that the project is designed to develop meat market, export, competitive meat value chains, and livestock industry in Ethiopia.
Recalling that phase one project launched in 2021, he added that it has achieved significant progress by supporting the development of policy frameworks, strengthening certification and inspection systems, improving trade negotiation, and facilitating technical knowledge exchange.
Although the meat export industry in Ethiopia is an important economic sector, meat safety remains a challenge and the export of meat is limited due to various reasons, the director-general noted.
Among the constraints are outdated legal framework, limited baseline studies in Ethiopian meat institutional capacity building, meat trade certification and limited technical knowledge and skill gaps.
According to him, this phase of the project will enhance stakeholder capacity through a range of targeted interventions, including establishment of disease-free zones in Ethiopia, enhanced laboratory residue testing, streamlined trade facilitation and market linkages as well as robust institutional strengthening.
On his part, Minister Counselor at Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, Liu Xiaoguang, said the project represents not only a continuation of the fruitful partnership among UNIDO, Ethiopia and China, but also a shining example of how South-South cooperation can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.
Emphasizing Ethiopia’s potential in livestock sector, Liu Xiaoguang stressed that this phase of the project can play a critical role in boosting the development of the sector.
“This country (Ethiopia) has the largest livestock populations in Africa, solid foundation for further upgrading the value chain of the livestock sector and unleashing its potential in promoting social and economic development. Project phase two will play an increasingly important role in boosting development of Ethiopia’s livestock sector,” he pointed out.
UNIDO Sub Regional Office Deputy Representative, Asegid Adane reiterated that the livestock sector represents a vital pillar of Ethiopian rural economy and industrialization drive, emphasizing the immense livestock potential of Ethiopia to position itself as a regional hub for high quality meat and livestock products contributing to both food security and export diversification.
Yet, challenges persist from limited commercialization and productivity gaps to constraints in veterinary services, feed quality and market access, he said, noting that addressing these bottle necks is critical for realizing the sector’s full potential.
“It is in this sprit that UNIDO, in close collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia and China, is implementing the capacity building to upgrade the livestock value chain in Ethiopia phase two project under the framework of China’s Global Development Initiative and South-South Cooperation, focusing on strengthening institutional capacities; supporting the development of diseases-free zones; enhancing laboratory infrastructure for meat residue testing, facilitating trade and building resilience across the livestock value chains.”
The deputy representative reaffirmed UNIDO’s commitment to continue closely working with the Government of Ethiopia to advance livestock sector and broader industrialization agenda as well as to realize a future of inclusive prosperity, food security and sustainable industrial growth for Ethiopia, as per local newswire service ENA.