26 June 2025 – Abidjan: The Pan-African Donkey Conference (PADCo) opens today in Côte d’Ivoire, providing a vital platform to finalise a strategy that aims to improve the health and welfare of donkeys by advancing the implementation of Africa’s moratorium on the donkey skin trade – a practice that has devastated donkey populations across the continent.
Hosted by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the event is a powerful opportunity for Africa’s leaders to reaffirm the landmark commitments they made at the AU Summit in 2024, and to work together on a strategy to protect one of the continent’s most precious resources.
Building on momentum from the landmark inaugural PADCo in 2022, which helped shape the moratorium formally adopted by African Union heads of state in February 2024, this year’s conference brings together ministers, policymakers, veterinarians, and NGOs from across Africa.
The donkey skin trade is driven by demand for ejiao, a traditional Chinese medicine product. Having decimated China’s domestic donkey population, the industry now relies heavily on global supply chains. Worldwide, at least 5.9 million donkeys are slaughtered for their skins every year, severely depleting Africa’s donkey population.
The conference is organised by AU-IBAR, with support from the International Coalition for Working Equids (ICWE), comprised of Brooke (Action for Working Horses and Donkeys), The Donkey Sanctuary, SPANA and World Horse Welfare.
Jessica Stark, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at World Horse Welfare and Chair of ICWE said: “We are urgently calling for an end to the unsustainable and inhumane donkey skin trade, which is causing immense suffering to donkeys and devastating the livelihoods of the people who depend on them. We now have an opportunity at PADCo to shape a strategy for the conservation of donkeys that is forward-looking and recognises the immense value of this species to people across the continent. We fully support African Union countries in implementing the donkey skin trade moratorium and stand with global efforts to stop the mass slaughter of donkeys for their skins.”
The Pan-African Donkey Strategy, developed under the leadership of AU-IBAR alongside Chief Veterinary Officers across the continent and NGOs, recognises that protecting donkeys goes beyond animal welfare. With around two-thirds of the world’s estimated 53 million donkeys found in Africa, these animals are a vital backbone of rural livelihoods.
Dr Huyam Salih, AU-IBAR, Director said: “The rapid decline in donkey populations in some regions not only signals a growing animal welfare crisis but threatens to destabilise the livelihoods and resilience of entire communities
“At PADCo, it is imperative that stakeholders from across the continent commit to turning this strategy into coordinated, tangible action. Time is running out for Africa’s donkeys and the women and children who rely on them most. We hope all Member States will seize this chance to end this escalating animal and human welfare disaster.”
Donkeys are indispensable to millions of families, particularly women and children, who rely on them for transportation, agriculture, and daily livelihoods. Yet, despite their critical role, donkeys continue to be undervalued and vulnerable.
The Donkey Sanctuary, a member of ICWE, will present stark new evidence* at the conference, revealing the devastating impact China’s demand for donkey skins is having on Africa’s women and children.
Marianne Steele, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary said: “This latest research and the powerful story tells the devastation caused by the donkey skin trade and its disproportionate impact on women and children. We hope this report will be a call to action for governments in Africa and around the world to take decisive steps to end this human and animal welfare disaster.”
Brooke (Action for Working Horses and Donkeys) will present new findings* at PADCo on how African donkey populations are being decimated by the trade, how this impacts communities and what the charity is doing to fight against it.
Chris Wainwright, Global CEO of Brooke said: “Every donkey lost to the skin trade is a devastating blow to the families who rely on them for their daily survival.
“We hope this conference brings a unified and urgent commitment to protecting Africa’s donkeys, inspiring decisive action that safeguards them and secures the futures of vulnerable communities.
“Together, we can end this cruel trade and restore hope where it’s needed most.”
* The links to The Donkey Sanctuary’s report and Brooke’s new evidence will work once the embargo has been lifted.
A folder of hi-res images of donkey in Africa to accompany this story can be found HERE
About the International Coalition for Working Equids
The International Coalition for Working Equids is comprised of leading working animal NGOs Brooke, The Donkey Sanctuary, SPANA and World Horse Welfare and was established to work with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and its members to implement the OIE Terrestrial Code Chapter 7.12 on the Welfare of Working Equids.
- Brooke – Action for Working Horses and Donkeys is an international charity that protects and improves the lives of the working horses, donkeys and mules that give people in the developing world the opportunity to work their way out of poverty. Over 100 million of these animals are currently working worldwide. Sadly, many working horses, donkeys and mules are suffering, so Brooke works in more than 11 developing countries, with owners, communities, service providers, governments and international organisations to make long lasting improvements to the lives of animals and their owners.
- The Donkey Sanctuary, founded in 1969, has grown from a charity rescuing UK donkeys from neglect to an international animal welfare organisation transforming the lives of millions of donkeys and mules, and people depending on them for their livelihood. The charity’s vision is a world where donkeys live free from suffering, and their contribution to humanity is fully valued. The Donkey Sanctuary runs 10 sanctuaries in the UK and Europe, giving lifelong care to over 6,000 donkeys and mules; it also works in almost 40 countries for animals in agriculture, industry and transportation, as well as those used in meat and skin production.
- SPANA is the charity for the working animals of the world, transforming the lives of horses, donkeys, mules, and camels in need. Founded in 1923, the charity improves the welfare of working animals by ensuring the treatment and care of animals, training animal owners, and teaching children about animal welfare.
- World Horse Welfare is an international charity that protects equine welfare by improving the horse-human relationship using a combination of hands-in care, research, education and influence. The charity’s international programmes work with communities in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia to share knowledge and skills so helping owners improve their own lives and those of the equids they rely upon.
Media enquiries, please contact Beth Brooks, beth.brooks@spana.org
