Pastoralism in Africa’s drylands: reducing risks, addressing vulnerability and enhancing resilience

This report investigates the situation of pastoralism, highlighting its current context of vulnerability. It outlines policy interventions, resilience programming, and research areas that could enhance the resilience of pastoral livelihoods systems. Pastoral livestock production is practised in an area representing 43 percent of Africa’s land mass, and in some regions it represents the dominant livelihood system. It covers 36 countries, stretching from the Sahelian West to the rangelands of Eastern Africa and the Horn and the nomadic populations of Southern Africa, with an estimated 268 million pastoralists. Pastoralism developed 7000 years ago and spread throughout Northern Africa as an adaptation to a rapidly changing and increasingly unpredictable arid climate. It remains an important solution, as it allows pastoral herds to use drier areas during the wet season and more humid areas during the dry season. It thereby ensures access for pastoral livestock to sufficient high-quality grazing and creates economic value.