9th African Livestock Exhibition & Congress

The exhibition was officially inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Fikru Regassa, State Minister of Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture, and Amb. Christine Pirenne, Ambassador of the Netherlands Embassy, among other dignitaries. Their opening speeches emphasized the vital role of animal husbandry in Ethiopia's economy and highlighted how this year’s theme, “Livestock: Now and in the Future,” aligns with the Ethiopian government’s Yelemat Tirufat program. During the opening ceremony, SNV Country Director Julie Graham also launched the SNV BRIDGE storybook, which shared insights and best practices in dairy development in Ethiopia.

The distinguished guests toured the exhibition and engaged with exhibitors, showcasing their keen interest in the sector. Over the following days, several side sessions were organized on topics such as forage seed, dairy policy, extension services, and food quality and safety. These last session, hosted by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) and SNV, featured discussions on progress in milk quality, complemented by a video presentation highlighting the efforts of various stakeholders over the past years.

Overall, the fair demonstrated that interest in Ethiopia's livestock sector, particularly dairy, continues to grow. Increasingly, companies are exploring opportunities to establish businesses in Ethiopia, and ALEC provides a valuable platform to understand the dynamic developments on the ground.