Millions of African families depend on sheep and goats as their “living banks” a source of food, income, and financial security. However, the silent predator Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), or“goat plague,” continues to threaten these vital assets. With the potential to wipe out 90% of a herd in days, PPR is not just a veterinary issue; it is a major barrier to ending rural poverty.
In a landmark move, the African Union (AU) has officially raised the stakes. This week in Nairobi, the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) launched the Continental Advisory Committee for the Eradication of PPR. This high-level body is designed to provide the political muscle and strategic oversight needed to wipe the disease off the continent by 2030.
What is PPR and Why Does it Matter?
PPR is a highly contagious viral disease that causes fever, mouth sores, and severe pneumonia in small ruminants. While it does not infect humans, its economic impact is devastating. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), PPR causes up to $2.1 billion in global economic losses annually.
For a smallholder farmer, losing a flock means losing the ability to pay school fees or buy seeds for the next season. The disease disproportionately affects women and youth, who are often the primary managers of small livestock. Furthermore, as animals move across borders for trade or seasonal grazing, the virus hitches a ride, making it a “transboundary” threat that no single country can defeat alone.
The 2030 Goal: From Aspiration to Action
The newly formed committee is a game-changer because it moves the fight from the lab to the legislative floor. “PPR eradication is not an aspiration; it is an achievable objective,” stated Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR. The strategy is built on the lessons learned from the successful eradication of rinderpest over a decade ago the only animal disease ever completely eliminated.
To reach the 2030 target, the AU is working in lockstep with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and regional economic blocs. The plan focuses on four critical pillars:
- Mass Vaccination: Deploying effective, heat-stable vaccines to build herd immunity.
- Cross-Border Coordination: Aligning health policies so the virus has nowhere to hide.
- Strengthened Surveillance: Using real-time data to catch outbreaks before they spread.
- Political Accountability: Ensuring governments remain committed to long-term financing.
A New Chapter for African Farmers
For the millions of pastoralists across the continent, this AU-led drive represents a shift toward permanent resilience. By eliminating the threat of PPR, farmers can finally invest in their herds without the looming fear of a total wipeout. It opens doors to international trade and stabilizes local markets, turning small-scale farming into a reliable engine for economic growth.
As Africa targets 2030, the message from Nairobi is clear: the tools exist, the partnerships are ready, and the political will is finally catching up. Ending the “goat plague” is no longer a question of if, but a matter of when.
