One Health and Development Initiative

Strengthening partnerships for sustainable aquaculture in Africa.

OHDI recently engaged with the Principal Secretary State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries in Kenya to discuss progress under the Africa Fish and Aquaculture Welfare (AFIWEL) Program.

A key milestone is the development of the National Fish Welfare Manual (FW-MSOP), which is set for national validation and rollout support through a Training of Trainers for Fish Inspectors.

Read the full update here:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7457710577713360896

We are thrilled to announce a major milestone for One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) on the Africa Fish & Aquaculture Welfare - Afiwel implementation in Kenya.

Over the last few months, we have collaborated with the State Department for the Blue Economy and Fisheries (SDBEF), Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), and Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) to implement a series of successful technical workshops and collaborative sessions to develop the *Draft National MSOP for Fish Welfare in Aquaculture*.

The MSOP for Fish Welfare in Aquaculture is now open for public participation and feedback.

We invite all stakeholders in the aquaculture value chain to lend their voices to this historic document – the first of its kind in Africa!

Download the manual here: https://mibema.go.ke/general-documents

Please submit your suggested amendments via email to [email protected] and copy [email protected] using the official government template which can be found here:https://mibema.go.ke/sites/default/files/DRAFT%20NOTICE%20FOR%20CALL%20FOR%20PUBLIC%20COMMENTS%20revised%2023.04.2026.pdf

Public Comment Period: Open from 28th April 2026 to 18th May 2026.

OHDI at the FAO-CIRDAP Workshop on Sustainable Aquaculture Investments, Indonesia

National Aquaculture Investment Plans matter for Africa’s growth. Investment in aquaculture must be responsible, inclusive, and scalable to deliver lasting impact.

From 13 to 16 April, OHDI was represented at the Workshop on Sustainable Aquaculture Investment through National Aquaculture Investment Plans in Jakarta, bringing together African and Asian stakeholders to exchange insights on building sustainable aquaculture frameworks.

A key reflection for the Africa Fish & Aquaculture Welfare - Afiwel is the importance of a strong commercial mindset supported by systems that empower small scale producers through reliable water access, disease control, and capacity building. This can drive profitable production while maintaining environmental integrity and fish welfare.

Read the full update here:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7455688058181603328

The OHDI team recently held a technical meeting with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria to discuss the proposed nationwide scale up and implementation of the Africa Fish & Aquaculture Welfare - Afiwel Program.

This engagement marks the beginning of a formal collaboration to advance fish welfare and promote sustainable aquaculture systems in Nigeria.

Plans are underway for a National Inception and Action Planning Workshop to bring together multisectoral stakeholders, strengthen capacity, and co develop a coordinated action plan for ethical, safe, and sustainable aquaculture aligned with One Health principles.

Read the full update here:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7452007744041283584

Advancing Animal Welfare Policy in Bauchi State

We are pleased to share the progress of our work in Bauchi State, led by OHDI under the Poultry Welfare and Sustainable Systems (POWELS) program.

The process began with a detailed situational analysis, including high level consultations and field engagements with key stakeholders across the animal health sector. These efforts provided the evidence base for the recently concluded Animal Welfare Policy Development and Stakeholder Workshop in the state.

Through strong collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Livestock Development and other partners, we are contributing to stronger animal welfare systems and advancing One Health in Nigeria.

Read the full update here:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450950968256544768

CALL FOR FISH BUYERS & OFF-TAKERS: AgrowSAFE for Aquaculture

Are you a business looking for reliable, traceable, and food-safe fish supply?
Join the AgrowSAFE Buyer Network and get connected to verified producers across Africa.

AgrowSAFE (S.A.F.E – Sustainable, Accessible, Food-Safe, and Ethical) connects buyers directly with vetted fish farms that meet responsible aquaculture standards.

Through AgrowSAFE, you gain access to a trusted network of verified producers, helping you:
🔹 Reduce sourcing and supply risks
🔹 Ensure consistent, traceable supply
🔹 Strengthen your brand with responsibly sourced products

How it works:
🔹 Complete the enrolment and registration form
🔹 Submit your quantity needs and additional quality specifications
🔹 Get matched with verified farms that meet S.A.F.E and your requirements
🔹 Secure your supply with full traceability and continuous monitoring

Eligible Countries: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia

👉 Apply Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM3qDNvKzl9UCJzQ8SRa5PZXr_2Q3MfIpEAs7m00fBVgo9_w/viewform

👉 Learn more about the AgrowSAFE program: https://onehealthdev.org/ohdi-agrowsafe/

Collaborating for Change: Animal Welfare Policy Workshop Starts Today!

We are thrilled to announce that today marks the commencement of the Animal Welfare Policy Development and Stakeholder Workshop in Bauchi State!

This strategic gathering is convened by the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI) under our Poultry Welfare and Sustainable Systems Program (POWELS), in close collaboration with the Bauchi State Ministry of Livestock Development.

Following our extensive situational analysis, this workshop serves as the platform to translate insights into action. Bringing together policymakers, veterinary experts, and key industry stakeholders, this workshop is a critical step toward establishing a robust regulatory framework that promotes animal health, welfare, and sustainable livestock production across the state.

We look forward to the impactful dialogues and the development of a policy that will serve as a blueprint for a more humane and resilient animal system.

Stay tuned as we work together to strengthen the ecosystem in Bauchi State and beyond.

World Health Day 2026: Together for Health. Stand with Science.

Today, April 7, we celebrate World Health Day. This year’s message is clear: to protect the health of people, animals, plants, and our planet, we must turn evidence into action through multisectoral cooperation with a focus on the One Health approach.

At OHDI, “One Health” isn’t just a buzzword; it is our DNA. Since our inception, every program we lead has been built on the foundation of scientific evidence and collaborative action:
* Africa Fish & Aquaculture Welfare - Afiwel and POWELS Program: Advancing sustainable animal welfare.
* RORE, One Health Resources and AgrowSAFE: Driving digital health innovation and sustainable food systems.
• Conservation and AMR Mitigation: Safeguarding our environment and protecting our future.
• Zoonoses and Health Security: Strengthening prevention and global health resilience.

We call on everyone, from healthcare workers and researchers to farmers and policymakers, to stand with science. Let’s work together across all sectors to build a healthier, more resilient world for ourselves and the generations to follow.
Because truly, health is wealth.

To support OHDI’s One Health solutions for sustainable development:
https://onehealthdev.org/donate/

Climate change affects human, animal, and environmental health, making it a critical One Health issue. Yet translating climate data into actionable health measures has been a challenge.

In March 2026, the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched Africa’s first Climate-Health Desk to turn climate science into practical actions that protect communities across the continent.

Learn more about this milestone initiative: https://climahealth.info/africa-climate-health-desk-launch/

How do you transition from a digital blog to a global nonprofit impacting people? It starts with a commitment to the approach.

In 2016, our founder, Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore, recognized a critical gap in how we view health. She began bridging this gap through her blog, "MyAnimal,MyHealth." Through investigative journalism and evidence-based advocacy, the platform evolved into the One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI).

Key milestones in our journey:
• 2016: Launch of "MyAnimal,MyHealth" blog
• 2017–2018: Major advocacy projects on food safety and marine resources
• 2019: Formal registration of OHDI as a nonprofit
• Now: A global leader in health security, AMR mitigation, animal welfare, responsible food systems, and environmental conservation

Dr. Kikiope’s journey shows that passion paired with a holistic vision can create meaningful impact in the world.

Learn more about our history and OHDI’s projects here:
https://onehealthdev.org/our-history/

https://onehealthdev.org/our-projects/

Health threats rarely announce themselves clearly, which is why detecting, reporting, and responding to risks quickly is central to health security.

In March 2026, OHDI participated in a national workshop convened by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency to strengthen multi-sectoral environmental health surveillance systems across Nigeria. Dr. Kikiope Oluwarore, Executive Director of OHDI, was represented by Dr. Bashirat Idris and Dr. Nabil Yakubu.

The workshop emphasized practical coordination, standardized reporting, and integrated One Health approaches linking environmental, human, and animal health systems for improved early detection and response.

Read the full article and view highlights here:
https://onehealthdev.org/multi-sectoral-environmental-health-surveillance-nigeria/