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Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. 

 

 

Full Length Research Paper 

Africa's Pig Industry: Present Situation, 
Obstacles, Potential, and Prospects 

Joseph K. Ali 

Laikipia University, Nyahururu, Kenya 

  Accepted 29 December, 2024  

 

One of the profitable businesses in the livestock subsector of agriculture is the production of pigs. It 
makes a substantial contribution to the economy and the supply of animal protein, which improves 
food security in Africa and around the world. The current state of pig production in Africa was 
examined in this article, along with its opportunities, difficulties, and possibilities. Africa's pig 
population makes up 4.6% of all pigs worldwide. They are found all over Africa, with the exception of 
Northern Africa, where pig farming is discouraged for religious and cultural reasons. Smallholder 
farmers raise them mostly in rural areas of Africa, which explains why indigenous breeds and their 
hybrids make up the majority of the pig population in most of the continent. Pigs have cultural and 
social value and are essential to rural communities' ability to maintain their standard of living. Africa's 
pig production system is primarily traditional, but it is expanding quickly and changing to become more 
modern. Africa now produces more than 2 million tons of pork annually, up from less than a million 
tons in 2000. One of the primary factors limiting pig productivity in Africa is the prevalence of illness 
outbreaks, particularly African swine fever. Other factors include a lack of technical expertise and skills, 
high temperatures, restricted access to superior breeds, high feed and veterinary input costs, 
unwelcoming government regulations, prejudice based on religion and culture, inadequate processing 
facilities, and an underdeveloped value chain. The need for more food production is indicated by the 
estimated 2.5 billion people living in Africa by 2050, rising urbanization, and a decline in the number of 
farmers. For increased productivity and easier exporting, the pig production systems in Africa need 
developmental research, advances in housing, feed production and manufacture, animal health, 
processing, capacity building, and pig-friendly regulations. 

 
Key words: Farmers; Policy; Pork; Smallholder; Transformation; Value-chain. 

 

 
INTRODUCTION 

 

Global cattle production has benefited from Africa's 
enormous territory and growing population. With 1.4 
billion people living there, Africa is the second largest 
continent in the world and accounts for 17.9% of the 
global population [1]. The world's livestock sector is 
significantly shaped by Africa's remarkable biological and 
geographical diversity as well as its sociocultural 
complexity. A third of the world's livestock production [2] 
and almost 40% of Africa's agricultural GDP [3] come 
from the continent's livestock population. In Sub-Saharan 
Africa (SSA), livestock will play a bigger role in the future 
as the region's population, affluence, and urbanization all 
increase demand for food derived from animals. By 2050, 
consumers with low and intermediate incomes are 
expected to require 5.5 million tonnes more milk and 107 

million tonnes more meat than they did in 2005 and 2007 
[4]. By 2050, SSA's per capita annual meat and milk 
consumption is projected to be 14 kg and 30 L, respectively 
[2].  

 
One way that Africa might satisfy its demand for animal 
protein and fulfill international demands through exports is 
by raising pigs. 1.67% of the world's pigmeat is produced in 
Africa. In Africa, pig production is a significant part of the 
livestock subsector of agriculture. It is impossible to 
overstate how important pig production is to the continent's 
ability to sustain livelihoods by providing a healthy source of 
protein, jobs, and revenue. Pork is readily digested, has a 
high biological value, and contains vital amino acids. Pork is 
referred to as "pink meat" because it shares the nutritional 

 
 

 

 

African Journal of Pig Farming ISSN: 2375-0731 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-008, December, 2024. Available online at 

www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals 

 
 

http://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/


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characteristics of both red and white meats [5]. Pig meat 
is a significant source of animal protein in human diets, 
according to the global trend in meat production and 
consumption from 2016 to 2020. According to estimates 
based on FAO data [5,6], pig is the most consumed meat 
worldwide, making up 36% of global meat consumption, 
more than beef (24%), poultry (33%), and goats and 
sheep (5%). Pig meat, however, is not the most popular 
meat in Africa; instead, it comes in second after beef, 
mutton, fowl, and chevon.  
In the majority of Africa, pigs are raised primarily under 
vast production systems, where they are neglected and 
left to fend for themselves [7]. However, the conventional 
extensive system is quickly giving way to semi-intensive 
and intensive manufacturing systems. Pigs have the 
potential to significantly improve food and nutrition 
security in Africa and around the world due to their 
inherent qualities, which include high fecundity, short 
generational intervals, superior feed conversion indices, 
and early maturity when compared to other livestock 
species. Given its comparatively low production costs 
when compared to other significant livestock farming 
enterprises, investing in pig production has turned out to 
be one of the most lucrative livestock ventures [8]. Pig 
farming is therefore a thriving industry that has the 
potential to close the gap in the supply of animal protein, 
offer reasonably priced meat, and support the economies 
of Africa and the global community by creating jobs and 
revenue. Despite Africa's potential for pig production, the 
industry is hindered by a number of issues that keep it 
from reaching its full potential. With regard to the 
production system, population distribution, pork output, 
per capita consumption, problems, and future prospects, 
this research sought to analyze the current state of pig 
production in Africa. 
 
PRESENT PIG PRODUCTION STATUS IN AFRICA 

 
Pig production systems in Africa 

 

The More than 70% of pigs in Africa live in rural areas, where 

they are typically left to scrounge for food [9]. Pigs are 

widespread throughout the continent. Furthermore, 90% of 

Nigeria's pig population is raised in vast systems, and the 

country contributes 65% of West Africa's total pork 

production [10]. In many African countries, raising pigs is a 

source of income, particularly for young people and women 

engaged in small-scale farming. Pig production systems in 

Africa vary and are intricate among nations, each with unique 

potential and difficulties. The prevalence of disease 

outbreaks, particularly Africa swine fever (ASF), and rising 

input costs have had an impact on the pig business globally, 

affecting both production costs and output. Africa has been 

impacted by these because of the widely used production 

systems.  

 

In Africa, pig farming methods typically vary from 

smallholder, traditional scavenging systems to more intensive 

commercial setups [11,12]. The pigs are exposed to the risks 

of weather extremes, disease infection, and theft because the 

traditional arrangement permits them to move around and 

search for food. The majority of the animals raised in this 

method are native breeds. Although they do not readily achieve 

market weight, this approach also uses crosses between native 

and exotic breeds. This is because scavenging operations take 

energy that should be used for growth and development, while 

traditional systems could not give enough nutrition for healthy 

growth [8]. Animals that scavenge are typically linked to high 

rates of disease infection.  

 

The exotic breeds and their crosses are the primary foundation 

of the intense system. However, in order to meet the nutritional 

needs of the animals for optimal productivity in confinement, 

they must employ formulated diets, which can be costly 

because to the high cost of imported feed ingredients and the 

paucity of grains. More capital is needed for an intensive 

system of production since it also requires the supply of decent 

housing, health care, and facilities for disposing of waste for 

appropriate management. Many African pig farmers, particularly 

smallholder farmers, use locally sourced materials like cane, 

bamboo, planks, or mud for walls or house demarcation, even if 

others are investing in the use of sophisticated pig farm 

equipment. Although they are not exclusive, the common 

breeds of pigs raised under the traditional method include the 

indigenous breeds and their hybrids. Despite the fact that Large 

White, Landrace, and their crosses are more popular, exotic 

breeds like Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire, and 

Pietrain are common in the intense method of production [8]. 

Disease propagation is facilitated by traditional systems' open 

scavenging and scant biosecurity precautions [11]. If properly 

maintained, intensive systems can use biosecurity techniques 

to reduce the risk of disease. However, small-scale pig 

producers in Africa might find it difficult to afford the cost of 

putting biosecurity measures in place [11].  

 

Pig farm estates and clusters have recently been established 

for smallholder farmers in Africa. They are sometimes arranged 

into cooperatives or farmer organizations. This is to make some 

facilities that large-scale farmers likewise enjoy easily 

accessible to smallholder farmers. Farmers who belong to a 

cluster or cooperative can easily access resources including 

loans, government assistance, veterinary care, veterinary 

services, wholesale input procurement for member sharing, 

good infrastructure, and market accessibility. The Oke Aro Pig 

Farm Cluster, the biggest pig farm estate in West Africa, is 

located in Lagos State, Nigeria, and serves as a prime example 

[13]. This system's inability to consistently deploy and enforce 

sound biosecurity measures is one of its main problems. By 

exchanging labor and equipment among various units in the 

cluster, farmers and farm attendants violate biosecurity 

protocols, making it easier for diseases to spread and recur.  

Technological developments, growing awareness of sustainable 

practices, shifting consumer preferences and perceptions, and 

initiatives to address issues like food security and disease 

management have all had an impact on pig production in Africa 



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over the years [12]. Pig breeds with enhanced disease 

resistance, growth rates, and reproductive performance that 

are well-suited to regional conditions have been developed. 

The utilization of better breeds and the implementation of 

intensive or modern production systems may be the reasons 

why South Africa and Nigeria appear to have the highest 

pork yield per animal in Africa [1].  

 

Pig population distribution in Africa 

 
As of 2020, there were 44 million pigs in Africa, which accounts 
for about 4.6% of all pigs worldwide [1]. With 38% of Africa's 
total pig population, Eastern Africa has the largest percentage 
of pigs among the continent's five regions (Figure 2). Because 
of the region's cultural-religious demography, which 
discourages the consumption of pork, Northern Africa has the 
smallest pig population in Africa, accounting for less than 1% of 
the continent's total pig population. This has an impact on both 
the region's per capita consumption and production of pork. 
With corresponding contributions of roughly 33%, 17%, and 
12% of the continental pig population, other regions such as 
Western, Central, and Southern Africa are significant producers 
of pigs [1].  
 
The two African nations with the largest pig populations are 
Nigeria and Malawi (Figure 1), with an actual population of over 
7 million heads (Table 1). Together, the two nations account for 
about 35% of Africa's entire pig population. Malawi has the 
highest pig population density in Africa, yet Nigeria has the 
largest pig population.  
Figure 3 shows that the number of pigs in Africa has been 
growing over time, particularly since 1980. Increased living 
standards and population expansion are to blame for this 
growth, as they are driving up the need for food. The pig 
population in Northern and Southern Africa is an exception, 
despite the fact that the pig population in Eastern, Western, 
and Middle (Central) Africa has grown more rapidly. In these 
two areas, the number of pigs has not grown significantly over 
time. 

The number of pigs in Africa grew from 21 million to 43 million 
between 2001 and 2021, a 101% rise throughout the continent. 

 
Pig meat yield in Africa 
 
In 2021, more than 2 million tons of pork were produced in Africa [1]. 
Figure 4 shows the amount of pork produced (in tons) in various 
African regions from 1961 to 2021. Figure 5 shows that, with the 
exception of Northern Africa, where pork production has decreased 
by 56%, pork production has increased over time in all of Africa's 
regions. In Western, Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa, the 
corresponding increases in pork production rates were 1,696%, 
448%, 596%, and 1,396%.  
 
Western Africa produced 768,766.80 tons of pork in total in 2021. 
South Africa is a large producer of pork in Southern Africa and had 
the highest per capita consumption of pork in Africa (4.19 kg). Its 
contribution to Southern Africa's pork output as of 2021 was over 
320,450 tonnes, or 97% of the 329,710 tonnes of pork produced in 
the region (Table 1). 

Other nations in the region, primarily Namibia, Eswatini 

(Swaziland), Lesotho, and Botswana, provided the remaining 3%.  

Over the years, Northern Africa's pork output has followed an 

uneven pattern with little to no growth. Reduced pig populations, 

which resulted from what can be called malicious culling of pigs, 

which claimed that pigs are reservoirs of avian influenza viruses 

after the disease outbreak in poultry in the region, are the cause 

of the dramatic decline in pork output in this region starting in 

2008 [1]. From 3,893 tonnes in 2006 to 1,328 tonnes in 2011, and 

then to 1,234 tons in 2015, the production of pork fell [1]. 

Nonetheless, the region's output figure increased once more to 

1,610 tons in 2021, and it is anticipated to keep improving as 

some local farmers express interest in growing pork for the 

region's residents and visitors. The Coptic Christian minority, who 

make up only 10% of the population, are the main producers of 

pigs in Egypt. Nonetheless, nations like Libya, Sudan, and 

Western Sahara make up a very little portion of the region's pork 

production.  

 

The majority of pig farmers in Morocco are poultry farmers who 

switched to raising pigs when avian flu outbreaks impacted their 

poultry farms. Producing pork for visitors and certain foreign 

residents is often their goal. They also hope to close the gap on 

the importation of pork into the nation, which comes primarily from 

Spain, Belgium, and France. Due to the significant expansion of 

the pig industry from 2008 to 2013, which was brought about by 

the arrival of new local farmers, Morocco has also been known to 

export pigs to nations like the Gambia and Cyprus, where they 

are consumed by tourists and foreign residents. Since then, 

however, Morocco's pig population has not increased 

significantly; as of 2021, there were about 8,000 pigs and 630 

tons of pig meat produced year [6].  

 

   Per capita pork consumption in Africa 

Because of cultural, religious, economic, and geographic variables, pork 

intake differs greatly among African nations. In Africa, pork is not the 

most popular meat. Africa's per capita intake of pork (1.53 kg) is ranked 

below that of beef (5.22 kg), poultry (6.30 kg), and chevon and mutton 

(2.39 kg). Africa consumes 1.55 kg of pork per person, which is less 

than the 14.35 kg consumed in Asia and the 33.79 kg consumed in 

Europe. Due to shifting tastes and inclinations, meat consumption rises 

as wealth or income rises. Like in certain other regions of the world, 

religious and cultural beliefs that forbid eating pork have a significant 

influence on how much pig is consumed in Africa.  

The Middle, Western, Eastern, and Northern regions of Africa consume 

2.18, 1.97, 1.38, and 0.01 kg of pork per capita, respectively, whereas 

Southern Africa consumes the most (3.99 kg) [1]. Pork is widely 

consumed in South Africa, because the population is diversified and has 

a wide range of dietary preferences. Pork consumption, however, is 

typically substantially lower in nations with sizable Muslim or Jewish 

populations. In many African countries, the patterns of pig eating are 

significantly influenced by these religious differences. Because of 

Islamic dietary prohibitions, countries with a majority of Muslims, such 

Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria, usually have low per capita pork production 

and consumption [14]. By 2020, Egypt had produced roughly 628 tons, 



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which is less than the more than 302,000 and 311,000 tonnes of 

pork produced in South Africa and Nigeria, respectively [1]. 

Economically growing urban areas are known to see a shift in dietary 

diversity, with alternative protein sources being seen. The 

consumption of pork may be significantly impacted by this change. It 

has been recorded that multinational fast-food chains, especially 

those that serve pork-based products, have proliferated throughout 

most African urban centers [15].  

 

     Marketing 
 

Although live animal sales are the main marketing channel 

for pigs sold by producers, pig marketing methods in Africa 

are found to be straightforward [13]. Pig handling, 

transportation, and sale conditions are fraught with 

difficulties [16]. The majority of farmers are compelled to sell 

live animals to intermediaries, who then sell to butchers. To 

make as much money as possible, producers occasionally 

butcher their own animals and sell the fresh pork to the end 

user. This typically happens when middlemen attempt to 

drive down prices in order to exploit farmers who are under 

pressure to sell in order to increase profits. However, there 

are also out-growery systems, in which farmers produce for 

specific consumers or processors who then use the animals 

to make products. The market's ability to operate efficiently 

is hampered by a number of factors, including inadequate 

market knowledge, a shortage of capital, difficulty accessing 

official credit sources, poor roads, and excessive 

transportation costs. The real market and transaction costs 

are raised by these limitations. State support for pig 

products is not available.  

 

In most of Africa, marketing is experienced similarly to how 

it is in rest of the world. Thus, policy and infrastructure 

support from the government would improve pig marketing.  

 
CHALLENGES OF PIG PRODUCTION IN AFRICA 

Common challenges 
 
Pig farming in Africa faces a variety of difficulties that differ from 
one nation to the next and even within regions. The following are 
some typical difficulties that pig farmers in Africa face:  
 
i. Policies and programs that are inconsistent both inside and 
across nations on the continent: South Africa exports pork and is a 
significant participant in the continent's pork sector. Shipment 
delays, product rejection, and harm to trade relationships may 
result from uneven or sudden changes to export restrictions, 
especially sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Countries like 
Kenya have seen changes in import laws pertaining to pork 
products during the past ten years. The stability of the local market 
is impacted by the implications of inconsistent import policies, 
which typically alternate between stringent prohibitions and lenient 
regulations. These shifts are difficult for importers and traders to 
handle, which causes supply interruptions and price volatility.  
Another significant issue affecting pig production in various African 

nations is the inconsistent application of disease management 
measures. For instance, pig agriculture in Africa and around the 
world has faced serious challenges due to ASF outbreaks (Figure 6). 
Between 2018 and 2019, ASF attacks caused the loss of about 
25% of the world's pig population. Both domestic and wild pigs 
are susceptible to this extremely widespread virus illness. A 
reduction in pig populations and an effect on farmers' livelihoods 
can result from the disease's high mortality rates, which can 
cause large financial losses and hinder pig output in impacted 
areas [13]. The recurrence of this disease has caused many 
farmers to quit their jobs because they receive little to no 
compensation. Due to this, the majority of farmers who are 
afflicted with ASF choose to keep to themselves and secretly sell 
the diseased animals, which further spreads the illness. Pig 
farmers are often confused by inconsistent policies regarding 
disease management techniques, which makes illness prevention 
and control challenging.  
 
i. Limited access to superior breeding stock: In the majority of 
African nations, there is limited access to superior genetics and 
genetically upgraded breeds. This has affected productivity and is 
the cause of the large differences in pig meat yield between 
nations such as South Africa, which primarily produces better 
breeds or hybrids, and others that mostly raise non-distinct 
varieties. The profitability of the pig industry as a whole as well as 
the productivity and efficiency of pig farming systems can be 
impacted by access to quality breeds.  
ii. Inadequate infrastructure: The growth of the pig business may 
be impeded by inadequate infrastructure, which includes waste 
management systems, transportation networks, cold storage 
facilities, and processing units. Due to these infrastructure 
constraints, it is challenging to move pigs and pork products 
effectively, which raises costs and restricts farmers' access to 
markets.  
iii. Exorbitant and fluctuating input costs, including those for 
medications and feed: One of Africa's biggest problems is the cost 
and accessibility of high-quality pig feed and medications. 
Commercial feed can be expensive, particularly if it contains 
imported ingredients. Pig farmers in Africa often have inadequate 
knowledge of the nutrients that pigs need and inadequate 
knowledge of how to formulate feed. Given that pigs normally 
need a balanced combination of energy, protein, and other vital 
nutritional sources, this information gap affects the economics of 
pig farming. It is not necessary to offer a high-quality diet to native 
pigs that can survive on subpar feed. However, premium feed is 
necessary for imported breeds and hybrids. In the majority of 
African nations, high-quality commercial or branded meals for 
pigs are scarce. Good breeds and the availability of high-quality 
feed or feed components will boost Africa's pork production. 
Furthermore, poor infrastructure and storage facilities for 
medications and pharmaceuticals, as well as feed ingredients, 
can cause feed spoiling, which reduces the materials' efficacy.  
iv. Limited access to veterinary care: Availability of high-quality 
veterinary In many regions of Africa, access to services such as 
immunization programs, disease diagnosis, and treatment is 
frequently restricted [17]. This can make pig producers more 
susceptible to disease outbreaks and result in large financial 
losses by impeding attempts to prevent and manage disease. In 
pig farming, putting in place efficient biosecurity measures to stop 
the spread of illnesses is essential. However, it can be difficult to 
contain disease outbreaks and preserve healthy pig populations 



5  

due to a lack of knowledge, insufficient funding, and subpar 
biosecurity procedures.  
v. Insufficient technical expertise: For small-scale pig farmers, 
who make up the majority in most countries, limited access to 
training and technical information about contemporary pig 
farming techniques and their adoption has remained a difficulty. 
Lack of knowledge in areas like artificial insemination, 
breeding, nutrition, housing, and biosecurity measures has 
hindered productivity and made it more difficult to implement 
better agricultural methods, which has led to a decline in 
efficiency and productivity.  
vi. Market and cultural factors: In several African nations, the 
demand for pork has been influenced by religious convictions 
and cultural preferences. Pig farmers have had restricted 
market prospects due to cultural taboos surrounding the 
consumption of pork and preferences for other types of meat. 
Additionally, weak value chains and restricted market access 
have made it difficult for the pig sector to flourish. This is due to 
the fact that the profitability and sustainability of pig production 
have been impacted by market accessibility issues, inadequate 
processing and storage facilities, and poor market relations.  

Climate challenges 
 
High ambient temperatures, increased precipitation pattern 
variability, and other weather extremes are linked to an increase in 
greenhouse gas (GHG) production and concentration in the 
atmosphere [18,19]. The productivity of livestock species, 
including pigs, is impacted by these changes and related 
variations in climatic conditions throughout time, which are 
referred to as climate change. Pig production and associated 
activities account for 10.1% of the entire animal contribution to 
GHG production, while livestock are consistently involved in 
producing 14.5% of all anthropogenic GHG emissions [18,19]. 
Due to its excessive reliance on rain-fed agriculture [20], Africa's 
agriculture, especially pig production, is susceptible to climate 
fluctuation, making it one of the world's most vulnerable regions to 
the negative consequences of climate change [21, 22].  

 
Climate change is expected to have a negative impact on water 
availability and use for crop (feed) and livestock production [23, 
24]. While water availability is decreasing, the amount of water 
required per pig for intake and cooling—particularly to counteract 
the effects of rising temperatures—is increasing.  
 
The supply of plant-based feed resources, particularly grains, is 
also being adversely affected by the decrease in water availability, 
which is leading to shortages and higher commodity prices per 
unit. In certain regions of Africa, drought and desert encroachment 
exacerbate the impact of climate change on pig productivity. For 
instance, Namibia has been suffering from drought, which has had 
a detrimental impact on the nation's pig and other agricultural 
production activities [21, 25].  

 
According to research, one of the main causes of rising ambient 
temperatures is climate change. This causes thermal stress, 
which has a greater detrimental effect on pig performance than 
cold stress, particularly in Africa. Pigs are particularly stressed by 
heat [26]. Heat stress, which is brought on by high ambient 
temperatures and high humidity, reduces pig production 

productivity by influencing growth rate, reproduction efficiency, and 
the animals' overall health and mortality.  
 

One significant tactic that might be investigated to lessen the impact 
of climate change on pig production in Africa is breeding for high 
adaptation and heat tolerance utilizing native breeds of pigs. 
Adequate cooling equipment and management techniques are 
necessary to lessen the impacts of heat stress on pig production in 
Africa, nevertheless, as animals might not be able to completely 
adapt to climate stressors alone [18,26]. Farmers may make climate-
smart farming decisions, prevent losses, and improve grain output 
and supply by forecasting seasonal climate variations and promptly 
communicating the information to them. In addition to being impacted 
by climate change, pigs contribute to it by producing greenhouse 
gases. Therefore, effective management techniques to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions from pig farming and associated activities 
and to lessen the impact of climate change on pigs are both crucial 
for increasing pig output in Africa [18].  

 
Opportunities, prospects, and a catalyst for improved pig 
production in Africa 
 
Prospects and opportunities of pig production in Africa 

 

In Sub-Saharan Africa, pig farming offers a number of 

opportunities and potentials that can support local populations' 

better livelihoods, food security, and economic growth. Building a 

strong and sustainable pig value chain is essential to achieving 

Sub-Saharan Africa's full pig production potential.  

i. Food security: Unlike most livestock species, pigs are 

extremely prolific and transform feed into consumable meat. This 

makes them an ideal animal for producing high-quality and high-

quantity meat, particularly to address the problem of malnutrition 

caused by a lack of protein, which is common across most of 

Africa. Additionally, since pig meat is high in protein, raising pigs 

for meat can help diversify diets, providing customers with more 

meat options and improving food security.  

ii. Employment opportunities: The breeding, management, 

processing, and marketing phases of the pig production value 

chain can generate jobs for both skilled and unskilled laborers 

from Africa's rapidly expanding population. These include 

farmers, technicians, traders, farm managers, experts in various 

facets of animal production, processors, suppliers of inputs, 

craftspeople, facility managers, logistic operators, and local 

market sellers, to name a few. Because pigs require less area 

and initial investment than other livestock species, women and 

young people can engage in pig production operations [27].  

iii. Foreign exchange earnings and income generation: Pig 

production is a very profitable business with strong returns on 

investment. Because it gives small-scale farmers a reliable 

source of income, pig farming has the potential to have a major 

impact on per capita income in Sub-Saharan Africa. Pigs' strong 

growth rate, quick generation interval, and quick reproduction 

rate enable regular sales of pork and piglets, which support a 

steady flow of revenue [28]. Although most African nations raise 

pigs for their own consumption, exporting them to other nations 

or beyond the continent can also generate foreign exchange 

profits. The potential for foreign exchange profits from pig 



6  

production is indicated by the current discrepancy between the 

worldwide market's supply and demand for pork. Potential for 

higher income generation through pig rearing is indicated by 

the anticipated rise in demand for pork products brought on by 

population growth and shifting dietary preferences [28].  

iv. Opportunities for investment: Investment in pig farming has 

proven profitable due to the pigs' innate capacity for 

reproduction and development as well as advancements in 

production methods over time. Despite its growth, Africa's pig 

industry has not been able to maximize its production due to a 

lack of investment in infrastructure and technology. In many 

emerging nations, the demand for meat has also increased 

due to urbanization and shifting dietary habits [13]. This gives 

producers the chance to satisfy the demands of the local 

market while also maybe looking into international markets for 

pig products. Africa's pig production offers investment potential 

in all stages of the value chain, including but not limited to 

breeding, housing, feed production, animal aggregation, 

processing or value addition, cold storage, transportation, and 

appropriate retailing locations. Africa offers vast potential for 

pig value addition, but it hasn't been fully utilized. Making 

sausages, cured goods, and other value-added products from 

pigs can increase profit margins, improving farmers' and 

processors' total revenue. This increases trade and economic 

activity by giving farmers the chance to reach both local and 

regional markets. There is potential for additional revenue 

development if the demand for pig products rises as a result of 

population growth and shifting dietary preferences [29].  

The possibilities for pig production in North African countries 

are based on the growing demand for pork, which is fueled by 

tourists visiting the region and seeing pig production as a way 

to earn foreign cash by exporting it to countries where there is 

a growing need for pork.  

 

Pointers to better future 
 

Africa's population is expected to grow to around 2.5 billion 

people by 2050 [30], and they must be fed. This suggests that 

there is a greater need for food, including pig flesh. The 

necessity for modern or mechanized pig farming methods to 

boost productivity and production in response to the growing 

demand for pork has resulted from the rural-urban movement 

that has reduced the number of farmers. Both government and 

commercial entities have recently boosted their investment. 

Africa has the potential to become a global supplier of pork if it 

has adequate infrastructure, high-quality inputs, and sufficient 

agricultural land. After all, the United African Company (UAC) 

built the biggest pig farm in the world in 1943, and it was situated 

in Kano, Nigeria. In the 1950s and 1960s, the farm expanded to 

a very big size, and before being exported from the continent, 

the pig meat was rail-transported to Lagos, which was then 

Nigeria's political and commercial center. Unfortunately, religious 

discrimination led to the pig farm's final closure in the late 1970s 

[13].  

 

The demand for meat, especially pork, is rising due to variables 

such population expansion, urbanization, and incomes [31]. The 

need for greater investment in pig production is indicated by these 

rising demands. For instance, there is a sizable and expanding 

market for pork products due to the fast urbanization and 

population expansion that is occurring in East African cities and in 

nations like Nigeria. Opportunities to meet the growing urban 

demand for meat products, notably pork, are presented by this. For 

the advantage of both producers and consumers, coordinated 

efforts can ensure or guarantee the safe and legal commerce of 

pigs and pork products.  

 

Changing the industry from the old practice of scavenging pigs to a 

more profitable manner is also necessary to increase pig 

production in Africa to satisfy the demands of the growing 

population. This calls for the involvement of companies or actors 

who will offer farmers access to contemporary living facilities, better 

breeding stock, better feeding systems, and training on new pig 

production techniques like artificial insemination. The use of 

methods that are extensively  utilized in Africa is still low compared 

to Europe and America because of a lack of infrastructure and 

expertise. Opportunities for commercial feed production or input 

supply are also abundant in the feed business. Commercial pig 

feed is rarely available to farmers, who are primarily ignorant of 

feed formulation.  

 

Pigs are typically sold live by farmers to nearby slaughterhouses 

throughout the majority of Africa, where the product receives little to 

no value addition. To realize the full potential of the business, 

significant investment is required in the processing and value 

addition of pigs in Africa. Private institutions and development 

partners' investments in pig production and processing have grown 

significantly in some African nations, including Liberia and Kenya. 

To spread best practices, disease control methods, and 

contemporary pig farming techniques to farmers, research and 

extension services must be funded [8,13].  

 

Abundance of agro-industrial by-product in Africa 

Pork and other livestock products are becoming more and more 

in demand as Africa's population increases and becomes more 

urbanized. Demand has increased as a result, placing strain on 

the supply and cost of traditional pig feed. African pig producers 

frequently purchase feed materials from local and international 

marketplaces. The availability and cost of imported feed 

ingredients, for instance, have been impacted by the disruption 

of global grain markets caused by the Ukraine-Russia conflict 

[32]. Conflicts between farmers and herders, for example, have 

severely impacted the economy in Nigeria and other West 

African nations by disrupting local agricultural production and 

lowering the supply of locally derived feed ingredients. Pig 

farmers' finances have been stressed by the rise in feed costs 

brought on by interruptions in the global grain market. Local 

disputes have also resulted in lower agricultural output, which 

has an impact on smallholder farmers' incomes and the 

availability of local feed ingredients. Conflicts between farmers 

and herdsmen frequently result in the uprooting of farming 



7  

communities, when farmers are compelled to leave their 

lands or scale back agricultural operations because of 

insecurity [33]. Due to interruptions in local and international 

markets, higher feed prices, and decreased agricultural 

production, the Ukraine-Russia conflict and farmer-herdsmen 

conflicts in Nigeria have contributed to the scarcity of feed 

ingredients for pigs in Africa. These crises demonstrate how 

regional and global forces interact to shape the difficulties 

African pig farmers experience in obtaining a sufficient and 

reasonably priced supply of feed components. To address 

these feed shortage issues, there is a chance to increase the 

usage of agro-industrial by-products as substitute pig feed 

sources. Numerous by-products are produced by Africa's 

agricultural industry from crops such as rice, oil palm, 

cassava, sorghum, corn, soybean, peanut, wheat, and 

sugarcane. These byproducts consist of materials that can 

be used as valuable pig feed ingredients, such as bagasse, 

rice bran, rice husk, soybean meal, corn bran, groundnut 

cake, palm kernel cake, brewer's grain, and wheat offal. 

Since many of these agro-industrial by-products are high in 

fiber, protein, and energy, they can be fed to pigs [34]. On 

the other hand, their nutritional content can be increased with 

appropriate processing and supplementation. Making use of 

these by-products helps to make agriculture more 

environmentally friendly and sustainable while also reducing 

waste.  

 
CONCLUSION 

A common practice throughout Africa, pig production has 

made significant contributions to the continent's agricultural 

economy, particularly as a source of income for many of its 

rural residents. Pig production in Africa still has the potential to 

become a major contributor to the continent's GDP and the 

achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals on Zero 

Hunger and Poverty Eradication, despite the obstacles it 

faces. This is because pigs are a good source of animal 

protein that can help fill the protein gap in the rapidly 

expanding African human population.  

Smallholder farmers must be given capacity building in the 

areas of appropriate feeding and feed management, health 

management, biosecurity, and value addition to boost 

productivity and the growth of the pig value chain throughout 

Africa in order to unlock the continent's hidden pig production 

treasure. The expansion of pig production in Africa depends 

on the implementation of suitable regulations that encourage 

the formation of private pig meat processing facilities or firms.  

It is crucial to do ongoing research on the creation of highly 

adaptable breeds, cost-effective feeding systems, and the 

utilization of alternative feed resources or agro-industrial by-

products. The expansion of the pig business in Africa depends 

on the careful planning and implementation of disease 

surveillance, preventive, and control strategies.  

CONFLICT OF INTEREST 

Regarding the information covered in the manuscript, we attest that 

there is no conflict of interest with any financial institution. 

 
FUNDING 

The authors received no financial support for this article. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The authors would like to thank Prof. Jelili Olaide Saka for helping 

to read through a section of the article. 

 
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	INTRODUCTION
	PRESENT PIG PRODUCTION STATUS IN AFRICA
	Pig meat yield in Africa
	Per capita pork consumption in Africa
	Marketing

	CHALLENGES OF PIG PRODUCTION IN AFRICA
	Common challenges
	Climate challenges

	Opportunities, prospects, and a catalyst for improved pig production in Africa
	Prospects and opportunities of pig production in Africa
	Pointers to better future
	Abundance of agro-industrial by-product in Africa

	CONCLUSION
	CONFLICT OF INTEREST
	FUNDING
	REFERENCES

