The Africa Youth Pastoralist Initiative (AYPI) recognizes the critical importance of addressing climate change impacts on pastoralism across the African continent. While AYPI’s activities are initially focused on specific regions and countries, the organization envisions a broader geographical scope to effectively address the state of pastoralism activities in the face of climate change.

Primary Focus Areas:

• Kenya: AYPI’s founding consultation took place in Kenya, where the challenges of climate change on pastoralism are particularly evident. The country’s arid and semiarid regions are home to numerous pastoralist communities, making it a focal point for AYPI’s initial efforts.
• Ethiopia: Ethiopia is another key focus area due to its substantial pastoralist population. The country’s diverse pastoralist communities are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including droughts and land degradation.
• Tanzania: AYPI recognizes the significance of Tanzania in the context of pastoralism. The country’s pastoralist communities, often located in arid and semiarid regions, face challenges similar to those in Kenya and Ethiopia.

Expansion Plans:

While AYPI’s roots are in these founding nations, the organization is committed to expanding its geographical scope to reach more African countries. This expansion aligns with AYPI’s broader goal of creating a resilient and sustainable future for all youth pastoralists across the continent.

Rationale for Expansion:

• Diverse Ecological Zones: Africa is home to a wide range of ecological zones, each with its unique pastoralist challenges related to climate change. Expanding AYPI’s reach allows the organization to address the diversity of pastoralist contexts.
• Broader Representation: Expanding to more countries ensures that the voices and concerns of youth pastoralists from different regions are heard and considered in the organization’s activities and advocacy efforts
• Shared Knowledge and Solutions: AYPI aims to foster crossborder knowledge sharing and collaboration. What works in one region may offer valuable insights for pastoralist communities facing similar challenges in other areas.
• Global Impact: AYPI recognizes the global relevance of its mission. As climate change is a global issue, the organization’s expansion contributes to building a network of informed and engaged youth pastoralists who can advocate for their communities on the international stage.
• Policy Influence: Expanding to more countries enhances AYPI’s ability to influence policy and governance frameworks at the regional and continental levels, advocating for favourable policies that support pastoralism in the face of climate change.

Challenges to Address:

As AYPI expands its geographical scope, it will encounter several challenges, including:

• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Africa is incredibly diverse in terms of cultures and languages. AYPI will need to navigate these diversities to effectively engage with different pastoralist communities.
• Logistical and Administrative Complexities: Expanding to multiple countries requires efficient organizational structures, resource allocation, and coordination to ensure that activities align with the specific needs of each region.
• Sustainability: Ensuring the long-term sustainability of AYPI’s efforts across a wider geographical area will be a critical challenge, requiring resource mobilization and partnership building.