Nomadic pastoralists (about 200 million people worldwide according to the UN) are falling far behind other national population groups in their level of education, health and economic and political participation. Unless this trend is reversed, up to 20 African countries with significant nomadic populations will suffer. National economic development will be slowed, rural economies will weaken and political unrest will grow.

There is a strong practical argument for supporting African pastoralists. Pastoralism makes a significant contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) of many Sahelian countries (around 10% in Kenya*); it produces the majority of meat consumed in burgeoning urban centres of those countries; and provides a livelihood for tens of millions of people who live there. Pastoralists' skills in rangeland management also help to regenerate forests and grasslands that act as carbon sinks, conserve biodiversity and support wildlife tourism. Furthermore, investment in pastoralist areas carries enormous positive gains for national development - imagine the difference that the millions of people in Northern Kenya could make with access to education and good infrastructure.

* 10% in 2002 and 25% in 2001 (P.Simpkin, 2004, ‘Regional Livestock Survey in the Greater Horn of Africa', ICRC, p.31)

Nomadic Education	Women's Empowerment
Livestock Mobility	Scenario Planning

Only 6% of women in Kenya's pastoralist North Eastern Province are literate, compared a national average of 79%.