Girma Astereye recently presented the findings of his PhD work “the burden of animal disease in working donkeys in Ethiopia” at the 2nd Pan-African Donkey Conference (PADCO2), held on 26–27 June 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire, hosted by AU-IBAR, under the theme ‘Africa’s Commitment in Policy and Practice to Donkey Preservation’. The event gathered over 250 participants, including ministers, Chief Veterinary Officers of member states, and international partners. Girma presented how donkeys contribute to rural livelihoods and the economy of Ethiopia and the economic impact of poor health and welfare on their productivity. Girma’s presentation was highly welcomed by participants who further suggested this work should be done in other regions.  

In rural Ethiopia, donkeys have a critical role in food security, in facilitating sustainable, resilient livelihoods and in empowering women. Donkeys generate important revenue through paid work transporting goods for a fee, and through their use within activities around the homestead, donkeys enable households to save time and money that can be reallocated to other essential needs. When donkeys suffer injury and disease income is reduced and there is less time for education, skill development and to diversify livelihoods.

GBADs is committed to generating more data to inform better decisions, for farmers, communities, and governments and hopes to continue expanding its work with equids across different contexts.

We would like to thank the Brooke and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), for their continued support with Girma’s PhD, and wider GBADs work. 

If you would like to know more about the GBADs‘ work in Ethiopia or any of our other case studies, contact us