Southern African countries are accelerating efforts to contain and eradicate foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease, with a renewed push towards coordinated cross-border action.
Speaking in Gaborone, Botswana’s Minister of Lands and Agriculture Edwin Dikoloti said regional collaboration is gaining traction. “SADC countries are advancing a unified approach that strengthens diagnostics, vaccination programmes and coordinated response mechanisms,” stated Dikoloti.
A joint action plan between Botswana and South Africa for 2026–2028 is already in place, focusing on improved surveillance and targeted vaccination in high-risk areas. Broader cooperation is also expanding, with Botswana working closely alongside Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Lesotho through bilateral agreements and regional platforms.
The Botswana Vaccine Institute is playing a central role, supporting vaccine supply and cross-border disease management strategies aimed at protecting livestock and safeguarding trade. The initiative reflects growing recognition that fragmented national responses are insufficient to manage transboundary animal diseases, particularly those with significant economic and export implications. With regional integration deepening, coordinated animal health strategies are becoming a critical component of agricultural resilience and trade security across Southern Africa.
