Livestock farming plays a central role in the national and regional economies of West Africa. It accounts for up to 10-15% of the GDP of the Sahelian states1 and contributes to the local economies of the host areas of transhumant livestock farmers2. It is a major source of income and employment throughout the sector, providing up to 99% of the red meat consumed in the sub-region. Pastoral and agropastoral livestock farming systems, based on the mobility of livestock, are still largely dominant in the sub-region. Several regional pastoral development initiatives, such as the Projet régional d’appui au pastoralisme au Sahel or Sahel Regional Pastoralism Support Project (PRAPS), the Projet régional de dialogue et d’investissement pour le pastoralisme et la transhumance au Sahel et dans les pays côtiers de l’Afrique de l’Ouest or Regional dialogue and Investment Project for Pastoralism and Transhumance in the Sahel and Coastal Countries of West Africa (PREDIP) and the Projet Elevages et pastoralisme intégrés et sécurisés en Afrique de l’Ouest or Integrated and Secure Livestock Production systems and Pastoralism in West Africa Project (PEPISAO), have been developed and implemented by the Permanent Inter-state Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS).