Africa's livestock sector is growing but still faces challenges, cutting across climate change, diseases, and technical capacity. AABNet addresses these challenges by creating a collaboration, research, and knowledge-sharing platform. The network, hosted by CoELIB, also champions youth agripreneurship, policy advocacy, and professional training to improve the technical capacities of stakeholders across value chains. 

The network's advocacy, awareness, and business development pillar align with CoELIB's prospects of advancing business incubation, leadership, and market development and strengthening communication media and advocacy. During the CGIAR Science Week (7th to 12th April 2025) in Nairobi, Kenya, Prof. Alexander Kahi, Director CoELIB, presented AABNet's role in advocating, raising awareness, and developing business across the African livestock sector. 

Awareness efforts cut across three interlinking areas: (1) awareness, i.e., increasing understanding, knowledge, or consciousness about particular livestock-related issues, topics, or situations through effective information-sharing; (2) advocacy, i.e., designing and implementing strategic messaging to inform, educate, and influence decision-making processes; and (3) behaviour change communication (BCC), i.e., influencing adoption and social behaviours by addressing knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Business development cuts across (1) innovating, i.e., nurturing innovative ideas and turning them into profitable ventures; (2) incubating, i.e., nurturing business start-ups by helping them survive and grow during the early development stages; and (3) investing, i.e., linking enterprises to high profile investors for scale-up.

"We're not just talking about agriculture, we're investing in people, innovation, and long-term sustainability," Prof. Alexander Kahi, Director, CoELIB.

The centre’s CoELIB Incubator, African Dairy Academy, CoELIB TV and CoELIB Radio, and CoELIB Workforce Development programmes have helped tackle farming and food challenges in Africa through communication, media, and advocacy to enhance livestock productivity, food security, sustainability, and socio-economic well-being.

Through its various programs, CoELIB has supported over 25,000 farmers and built the capacity of more than 50,000 youth across 49 African countries. Agribusinesses like Malkia Incu-brooder, Agrisolve Data World, and MolaPlus demonstrate how CoELIB's model can catalyze change in the livestock industry.

AABNet aims to expand its reach by strengthening multi-stakeholder networks, supporting farmer-led livestock ventures, and promoting local innovation amid growing climate and food security pressures.

Whether you're a researcher, agripreneur, policymaker, or student, you can join AABNet today; as a member, you'll gain access to training, networking, funding opportunities, and technical resources to help transform Africa's livestock sector.