My dear partners, supporters, dedicated team members, and the resilient poultry farmers of Africa. As the first light of 2026 dawns, I extend to you and your families the warmest and most hopeful greetings on behalf of the Livestock Industry Foundation for Africa (LIFA). May this new year be one of abundant growth, strengthened resilience, and shared prosperity.
The year 2025 was a landmark chapter in our journey, a testament to the power of perseverance and shared purpose. Despite navigating a complex political climate during our planned visit to Tanzania, our team’s unwavering commitment turned challenge into triumph. We delivered what became one of our most successful and impactful knowledge-sharing outings in Mwanza and Geita. This experience reinforced a core LIFA belief: no barrier is insurmountable when we are united in our mission to empower Africa’s livestock sector.
I am thrilled to reflect on our expanded footprint. Last year, we brought our climate-smart poultry health and nutrition programs to six African countries of Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Senegal. Welcome to our LIFA family! Your vibrant farming communities have enriched our collective knowledge. With this expansion, I am proud to announce that since our inception, LIFA has now directly engaged and empowered over 14,000 participants across the continent. Each one of you is a beacon of sustainable change.
Building on this momentum, 2026 will be a year of strategic consolidation and deeper impact. Our commitment to supporting the mental health and wellness of women poultry farmers remains unwavering, recognizing their pivotal role as the backbone of our industry. This year, we hope to enhance this initiative with more tailored resources and community support networks.
Furthermore, to bring our services closer to you and ensure lasting support, we are embarking on a major structural evolution. We will establish integrated regional offices across the continent:
- LIFA Anglophone West Africa
- LIFA Francophone West Africa
- LIFA Central Africa
- LIFA East Africa
These offices will synergize the incredible work of our country contact persons, fostering stronger local partnerships and faster response to your needs.
A special focus for 2026 is a heartfelt return to our roots. LIFA intends to reconnect with the pioneering poultry associations of Nigeria, where our foundational work began in 2019. We are coming back with a wealth of “Learning Route” experiences harvested from across Africa. Our goal is to collaborate with Nigerian farmers to leverage their immense strength and production capacity, exploring ways to extend this prowess to address poultry deficits in West Africa and beyond. It is a homecoming aimed at forging a new chapter of regional leadership and food security.
None of our work would be possible without the steadfast partnership of Zoetis Alpha Initiatives and Zoetis Foundation, who have stood with us since 2019. My deepest gratitude also goes to our entire team, whose dedication fuels our engine, and to you, the farmers, whose trust is our greatest reward. Visit our blog at https://blog.lifango.org to follow our journey, access resources, and share your stories.
Let us step into 2026 with renewed vigour. Together, we are not just raising poultry; we are nurturing health, building wealth, and securing the future of our continent.
Wishing you a year of unprecedented success and fulfilment.
Warmly,
Dr. Stephen Adejoro
President,
Livestock Industry Foundation for Africa (LIFA)
