One Health stakeholder net-mapping of Ethiopia’s milk value chain

As part of the Norway funded One Health project “Controlling zoonotic diseases and AMR in the milk value chain in Ethiopia, Malawi and Tanzania (OH Milk)”, a two-day stakeholder net-mapping workshop was held in early September 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

One Health Stakeholder Net-Mapping of Ethiopia’s Milk Value Chain. Photo: AHRI
One Health Stakeholder Net-Mapping of Ethiopia’s Milk Value Chain. Photo: AHRI

The event was led by the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), in collaboration with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI), Addis Ababa University (AAU), and the National Animal Health Institute (AHI). 

According to AHRI, “The net-mapping exercise identified 43 key stakeholders, with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health emerging as the most influential governmental actors. Photo: AHRI
According to AHRI, “The net-mapping exercise identified 43 key stakeholders, with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health emerging as the most influential governmental actors. Photo: AHRI

The workshop convened a diverse group of multidisciplinary experts and stakeholders from public health, livestock, environmental sectors, regulatory bodies, UN agencies, civil society, NGOs, and food safety institutions. Its primary objective was to identify and map key actors across the Ethiopian milk value chain and to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to ensure milk safety, protect public health, and support community livelihoods. 

The workshop served as a vital platform for collaborative dialogue and resulted in practical recommendations aimed at enhancing One Health coordination. Photo: AHRI
The workshop served as a vital platform for collaborative dialogue and resulted in practical recommendations aimed at enhancing One Health coordination. Photo: AHRI

Participants engaged in detailed discussions across several thematic areas, including: 

  • Stakeholder categorization based on influence, interest, and roles within the milk value chain (primary, secondary, and tertiary actors). 

  • Assessment of the existing One Health disease surveillance system, focusing on how milk-borne zoonoses are—or are not— captured within national frameworks. 

  • Identification of gaps and opportunities for strengthening the One Health network across Ethiopia’s dairy sector. 

Participants engaged in detailed discussions across several thematic areas. Photo: AHRI
Participants engaged in detailed discussions across several thematic areas. Photo: AHRI

According to AHRI, “The net-mapping exercise identified 43 key stakeholders, with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health emerging as the most influential governmental actors. Among nongovernmental partners, United Nations agencies were recognized as the most impactful contributors.” 

The workshop served as a vital platform for collaborative dialogue. It resulted in practical recommendations to enhance One Health coordination, improve risk-based surveillance, and ultimately ensure safer milk production and consumption across Ethiopia. 

→ Read more about the OH Milk project here.