Switzerland reaffirms backing for ECOWAS PACBAO Phase 2, pledges continued support

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has renewed its commitment to the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) livestock programme, pledging sustained support for Phase 2 of the West Africa Livestock Marketing Support Programme (PACBAO).

The assurance was given at the official launch of PACBAO in Accra on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Speaking at the event, Ms Janine Walz, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation at SDC, underscored the sector’s social and economic importance.

“For Switzerland, this program reflects our strong commitment to food security, regional integration, and inclusive growth. Livestock is more than an economic sector; it provides nutrition, resilience, and income for millions of families,” she said.

Her remarks came against a backdrop in which livestock plays an outsized role in West Africa’s agricultural economy: the sector contributes roughly 44% of regional agricultural GDP, and the sub-region supports vast livestock populations, figures that underpin the push to modernise markets and trade corridors.

SDC is the major funder of PACBAO Phase 2, committing CHF 8 million (about US$10 million) to the programme that runs from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2028. The Swiss funding is intended to consolidate the gains from Phase 1 and scale proven pilots across key trans-Sahel and coastal corridors.

Phase 1 (2018–2023) produced concrete innovations and pilot projects, ECOWAS and partners documented initiatives such as market modernisation pilots, improved animal-health systems, and a tested livestock transport insurance that covered about 140,000 head, achievements that Phase 2 seeks to amplify at scale

Ms Walz stressed that PACBAO is a partnership linking governments, regional bodies, the private sector, producers, and development partners.

She urged stakeholders to accelerate implementation so benefits reach farmers, traders, and pastoralists, particularly youth and women, who depend on the value chain for livelihoods.

The launch also highlighted Ghana’s domestic challenges and rationale for regional cooperation: while livestock contributes about 14% of Ghana’s agricultural GDP, the country remains heavily reliant on imports for poultry and other meats.

PACBAO Phase 2 was launched by Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening the sector, describing livestock as a cornerstone of food security and rural livelihoods.

https://onlinetimesgh.com/2025/09/09/ecowas-pacbao-phase-2-agric-minister-pledges-livestock-

The Resident Representative of ECOWAS, Ambassador Mohammad Lawan Gana, emphasized the importance of livestock farming and animal products in food security and regional economic integration.

https://onlinetimesgh.com/2025/09/09/ecowas-launches-phase-2-of-livestock-

Switzerland’s support will primarily back institution-building, market innovation, and pilot scaling across priority corridors linking Sahelian producers with coastal consumer markets.

Ms Walz closed by thanking Ghana for hosting the launch and urged collective action.

“Switzerland is proud to support this collective effort, and we will stand by it until its objectives are achieved,” she said.