Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Peter Kapala has described Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) as a major threat to livelihoods, food security, and economic development in southern Africa. Countries in the region are uniting to establish a buffer zone to contain the disease.
Speaking at a Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting in Lusaka, Mr Kapala warned that PPR, a highly contagious viral disease affecting goats and sheep, could cripple rural economies if uncontrolled.
“PPR is not just an animal health problem—it is a livelihood problem. Millions of our people, especially in rural communities, depend on small ruminants for income and protein. If this disease were to spread into Zambia, the consequences for food security and poverty reduction would be devastating,” he said.
Zambia’s small ruminant population, estimated at 5.5 million goats and 300,000 sheep as of April 2023, forms a critical pillar of household income for smallholder farmers. Mr Kapala stressed that protecting these animals is essential for agricultural and economic resilience.
Although Zambia has not recorded any clinical PPR cases, the government has maintained active prevention efforts since 2010. The national PPR control strategy, first developed in 2014 and revised twice since, aligns with regional and global frameworks.
“Our surveillance systems and early warning mechanisms are in place to ensure that Zambia remains free of PPR. But we cannot do this in isolation—diseases do not respect borders. That is why this regional buffer zone is so critical,” he said.
The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) has indicated that Africa will need €528 million over the next five years to eradicate PPR. The disease costs the continent more than US$2 billion annually in livestock losses and affects 46 out of 55 AU member states.
Hiver Boussini, AU-IBAR team leader for PPR eradication, said external support is important, but national ownership and domestic financing are key. “It is the sovereign responsibility of each Member State to mobilise and sustain the resources required to eradicate PPR—for the benefit of its population,” he said.
European Union representative Bogdan Stefanescu confirmed EU support, with €8 million already committed for the preparatory phase of the Pan-African PPR Eradication Programme and an additional €50 million pledged for Phase II from 2027.
AU-IBAR urged governments to explore innovative financing models, including targeted livestock levies, public-private partnerships, and pooled regional procurement. Coordinated action through SADC and other regional bodies can reduce costs, accelerate progress, and protect PPR-free countries while advancing toward a continent free of the disease.
PPR remains a significant challenge for pastoralists, women, and youth who rely on sheep and goats for income and food. Regional collaboration and sustained investment are critical to safeguarding livelihoods and achieving the goal of PPR eradication by 2030.