Ethiopia is widely recognized as a livestock nation, where cattle, sheep, goats and poultry are at the core of rural livelihoods and local economies. Besides a source of food, livestock is a productive asset for households, a form of savings and insurance, and an integral part of social and cultural life.
The Netherlands Embassy lounge at the ALEC 2025
With consumption of meat and milk rising, particularly in urban areas, Ethiopia’s livestock industry is increasingly driving jobs, business growth and new opportunities for farmers, traders and processors. At the same time, many producers still face limited access to quality inputs and services, weak value chain linkages, inadequate storage and transport, and difficulties obtaining finance to invest and scale operations.
Ethiopia’s agricultural policy responds to these challenges by prioritizing higher, market‑oriented productivity and better livelihoods for farmers and pastoralists. A key instrument is the “Bounty of the Basket” (Yelemat Trufat) initiative, a five‑year programme that promotes breed improvement, better feed, expanded poultry, honey and fish production, and stronger animal health and market systems. Early results show significant gains in output across dairy, poultry, honey and fisheries, supported by thousands of specialized development villages that help connect producers to inputs, services and markets.
Against this backdrop, the African Livestock Exhibition and Congress (ALEC) has emerged as Ethiopia’s largest and most influential livestock platform. Organized by Prana Events, ALEC convenes producers, processors, technology providers, policymakers, knowledge institutions, investors, and development partners under one roof. It offers companies a unique opportunity to showcase innovative technologies, engage directly with sector leaders, and gain insight into market dynamics and emerging opportunities in Ethiopia and the wider region.
Showcasing Dutch solutions: The Netherlands pavilion at ALEC 2026
As part of its long‑standing commitment to Ethiopia’s agri‑food and livestock development, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will again participate in the upcoming ALEC through the Netherlands Pavilion. The Pavilion will bring together Dutch companies and organizations offering practical solutions tailored to Ethiopia’s livestock sector. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of Dutch expertise and products, including specialized animal feed, dairy processing equipment, and other inputs and technologies. All aimed at increasing productivity, reducing losses, and supporting more sustainable and commercially viable livestock systems.
Partnering with SNV: strengthening Ethiopia’s dairy sector
The Netherlands Pavilion will be located next to the SNV pavilion, which hosts partners working under the Dutch‑supported BRIDGE+ programme. Implemented by SNV, BRIDGE+ focuses on building an inclusive dairy sector that delivers accessible, affordable, and nutritious dairy products across Ethiopia. Many Dutch dairy companies already collaborate with BRIDGE+, introducing practical business solutions that combine capacity building, appropriate dairy technologies, and improved market linkages. Their presence at ALEC will demonstrate how coordinated private‑sector engagement and development partnerships can translate into stronger dairy sector outcomes on the ground.
Lessons from ALEC 2025: why Dutch participation matters
Experience from previous editions, including ALEC 2025, has demonstrated the clear added value for Dutch participation. The Netherlands Pavilion attracted substantial attention, with participating companies highlighting the high quality of visitors and the strength of B2B leads with potential Ethiopian and regional partners, laying the foundation for promising future collaborations.
Looking ahead: new partnerships for stronger livestock value chains
The upcoming ALEC will build on this momentum. Together with our partners SNV, the Netherlands Embassy aims to deepen private‑sector involvement, encourage wider uptake of Dutch technologies, and catalyze new partnerships that can drive investment and competitiveness in Ethiopia’s livestock sector. For companies and institutions interested in Ethiopia and the broader African livestock market, the Netherlands Pavilion at ALEC offers a focused, high‑quality entry point to explore opportunities, connect with key actors, and contribute to “farming the future” in Ethiopia.
More information
You can reach out to the LAN team in Addis for more information or questions via ADD-LVVN@minbuza.nl