The West African region is experiencing a sharp increase in the demand for animal products, which is due not only to the high rate of urbanization (60% in Nigeria) but above all to the increase in consumer purchasing power and the emergence of a new middle class. Livestock and meat trade accounts for almost 60% of the region’s international trade. Nigeria imports more than 25% of the beef consumed and is therefore a major outlet for livestock in the region. The current economic situation in Nigeria indicates that the domestic supply of animal protein is growing at 1.8% per year, while overall demand is increasing at 5.1% per year.
Despite its importance and the existence of an unmet domestic demand, the marketing of livestock and meat faces enormous challenges in West Africa as well as in Nigeria: