Senegal Validates National Cattle Identification System with Support from FAO to Combat Cattle Theft
The government of Senegal has approved the National Cattle Identification and Tracking System (SNITB) following a workshop held on December 23-24, 2025, in Diamniadio, with support from the FAO. The workshop, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Mabouba Diagne, emphasized the urgent need to address cattle theft, which causes annual losses of approximately USD 3.2 million.
Senegal aims to implement a collective approach involving communities, authorities, and the private sector to enhance security and tracking of livestock. A multi-sector technical committee has been established, including civil society and private companies, to develop a national strategy against cattle theft.
FAO's pilot project encourages the emergence of start-ups specializing in digital tracking solutions. A budgeted roadmap includes the creation of local anti-theft committees across 557 municipalities, with increased involvement from defense and security forces to dismantle criminal networks.
