Safe and sustainable pastoralism

Pastoralism has long been celebrated as one of the Sahel’s most resilient responses to climate variability; yet its value remains overlooked in policy and practice. On 13 November 2025, in Ouagadougou, that narrative began to shift. The Réseau Billital Maroobé Network (RBM), in partnership with ILC Africa and supported by the McKnight Foundation, officially launched the project “Safe and sustainable pastoralism as a bold agroecological solution to climate change.”

The launch capped a week of deep dialogue, research alignment, government engagement, and strategic partnerships, all rooted in one ambition: to elevate pastoralism as a credible, evidence-based pathway for agroecological and climate transitions across the Sahel.

A project grounded in community wisdom and climate reality

In his opening remarks, Chec Ouattara, speaking on behalf of RBM, reminded participants that,

Yet he noted that despite its importance, pastoral systems remain marginalized and misunderstood in public policy.

This project aims to change that through a combination of action research, policy engagement, and community-driven innovation, the initiative seeks to:

• Document and promote pasto-ecological practices rooted in local and Indigenous knowledge.
• Strengthen land governance and secure pastoral spaces.
• Nurture a vibrant Community of Practice connecting researchers, policymakers, pastoralists, and civil society.
• Elevate the leadership of women, youth, and community custodians in pastoral governance.

These themes echoed strongly in the intervention of Gaoussou Sanou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources (MARAH), who emphasized that,

Setting the foundation: The inception workshop

Before the public launch, RBM, ILC Africa, and the lead research consultant convened a two-day inception workshop (11–12 November). This session ensured strong alignment on:

• The project’s theory of change, including the addition of a narrative component aligned with McKnight Foundation requirements.
• A refined methodological framework, integrating both qualitative and quantitative components, such as GIS and spatial data.
• Clear roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms, including monthly check-ins.
• An indicative research roadmap and next steps.

Participants from RBM, ILC Africa, and the University of Ouahigouya raised vital questions, ranging from research timelines (particularly the time required for data-collection authorizations) to the need for research questions adapted to different national contexts. These contributions significantly enhanced the methodological rigour of the project.

A launch marked by strong regional and government engagement

The official launch gathered over 40 participants, with representation from:

• RBM and Tin Hanan networks in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
• Government institutions.
• Consultants and researchers.
• Civil society actors.
• Media outlets and virtual participants.

Discussions were dynamic and candid. Participants explored how the research could capture the realities of displaced pastoralists, the diversity between nomadic and sedentary systems, and how the project could support community-led policy influence.

The event demonstrated strong ownership by pastoralist organisations, clear commitment by government authorities, and strong alignment with broader regional efforts to secure territorial rights for pastoral communities.

Why this project matters for the Sahel, now more than ever

Pastoralism sits at the intersection of climate resilience, food systems, mobility, and territorial governance. When supported, it contributes to:

• Restoring degraded ecosystems.
• Maintaining the genetic diversity of livestock.
• Strengthening social cohesion.
• Supporting cross-border economies.
• Ensuring food and nutritional security for millions.

But pastoral communities also face pressures: climate shocks, insecurity, shrinking mobility corridors, and land fragmentation.

This project positions pastoralists not as vulnerable populations, but as drivers of solutions.

Looking ahead

With a shared roadmap, government commitment, member-driven energy, and active partnerships, the project is now entering its implementation phase. Monthly coordination meetings between ILC Africa and RBM begin in December 2025, followed by methodological refinements, field-level planning, and continued partnership engagement.

Pastoral communities have always known that mobility, adaptability, and ecological knowledge are the bedrock of resilience. This project and the coalition behind it aim to ensure that the world finally listens.