DIAMNIADIO – The Government of Senegal has moved to formalize its defenses against the escalating crisis of cattle theft, a “well-organized plague” that currently drains an estimated two billion CFA francs (approximately USD 3.2 million) from the national economy every year. Following a decisive national workshop held in late December 2025, public authorities officially validated studies conducted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the implementation of the National Cattle Identification and Tracking System (SNITB). This strategic framework represents a fundamental shift toward digital traceability and inclusive security, aiming to protect the livelihoods of millions of pastoral households whose economic survival is increasingly threatened by cross-border criminal networks.
The newly approved system leverages a hybrid approach, integrating traditional community intelligence with high-tech surveillance. Central to this strategy is the emergence of a local “Ag-Tech” ecosystem, with Senegalese start-ups such as Daraal Technologies, Jourgui, and Africa Smart Citizens presenting real-time geolocation platforms and connected devices designed specifically for the rugged terrain of West Africa. By embedding these digital solutions into the national strategy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock intends to modernize investigation techniques and dismantle the logistical chains that allow stolen livestock to disappear into illicit markets.
“The time for observation has passed; we must act,” stated Mabouba Diagne, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Livestock, during the workshop in Diamniadio. He emphasized that the financial hemorrhaging caused by stock theft hinders long-term investment and impoverishes rural families, warning that it “will seriously damage the development of the livestock sector if no action is taken.” To bridge the gap between diagnosis and field execution, the government is establishing a multi-sector technical committee and local anti-theft units across all 557 municipalities, ensuring that the response is as localized as it is technologically advanced.
The FAO has signaled its long-term commitment to this digital transition, viewing the SNITB as a blueprint for regional pastoral security. Makhfousse Sarr, Program Officer at the FAO Representation in Senegal, underscored the importance of ensuring these innovations remain accessible to those at the bottom of the value chain. “FAO strongly supports the integration of the proposed innovations to develop solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and adapted to the needs of livestock farmers and institutions,” Sarr noted. As the roadmap moves toward implementation, the integration of defense forces with private security expertise and start-up agility is expected to rebuild the trust of livestock farmers and stabilize one of Senegal’s most vital economic pillars.
