West African nations are ramping up efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing threat to public health and food security, following a critical summit organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Held in Dakar, Senegal, from April 10–12, 2025, the sixth meeting of the ECOWAS Regional Veterinary Committee (RVC) brought together chief veterinary officers, policymakers, and international health experts to devise a unified strategy against the “silent pandemic” of drug-resistant infections.
AMR, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens evolve to withstand medications, has surged across the region due to factors like misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and agriculture, inadequate sanitation, and weak regulatory oversight. Data presented at the summit revealed alarming trends: in Côte d’Ivoire, antibiotic resistance rates jumped from 9% in 2002 to 46% in 2018, while studies in Senegal and Togo identified Escherichia coli strains resistant to over ten antibiotics. These developments mirror global patterns, with the World Health Organization (WHO) ranking AMR among the top ten threats to public health worldwide.
The economic and health impacts are stark. Prolonged illnesses, costly treatments, and livestock losses disproportionately affect low-income communities, where healthcare access is limited and agriculture remains a livelihood cornerstone. Inadequate veterinary treatments, coupled with the use of antibiotics as livestock growth promoters, further exacerbate risks by allowing resistant bacteria to enter the food chain.
Despite existing national laws governing veterinary practices and drug distribution, ECOWAS officials noted inconsistent enforcement and insufficient focus on AMR mitigation. Participants agreed on an urgent five-point action plan: strengthening political advocacy, launching regional awareness campaigns, developing a harmonized AMR strategy, upgrading veterinary lab capacities, and securing funding for implementation. The plan aligns with the “One Health” approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health strategies a framework promoted by the WHO, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Vaccination campaigns to prevent infections that require antibiotics were highlighted as a key preventive measure. However, challenges such as funding gaps, fragmented health systems, and limited technical expertise threaten progress. The ECOWAS Regional Animal Health Centre (RAHC) will coordinate cross-border efforts, leveraging partnerships with agencies like the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).
The Dakar summit underscores the region’s resolve to curb a crisis that could reverse decades of medical and agricultural advancements. As global antibiotic efficacy dwindles, West Africa’s ability to translate collaborative strategies into actionable policies will test its preparedness for future health emergencies. Success hinges not only on regional unity but also on sustained international support to bridge resource disparities a reality echoed in similar battles against climate change and infectious diseases. With AMR-related deaths projected to rise, the time for incremental measures has passed; coordinated, cross-sectoral action is now imperative to safeguard both lives and livelihoods.
