Reflections on the First AVA Africa Summit: A Turning Point for Farmed Animal and Vegan Advocacy on the Continent

By Aurelia Adhiambo, Tayralala @ 2025-07-24T15:55 (+21)

Last weekend, we had the immense honor of witnessing a dream come to life; the successful conclusion of the first-ever AVA Africa Summit. This was not just an event. It was a historic moment, a milestone, and a bold step forward for farmed animal and vegan advocacy across the African continent.

The AVA Africa Summit is one of the few conferences in Africa dedicated to farmed animal advocacy, and the only one focusing exclusively on farmed animal welfare. In its very first edition, we welcomed 264 attendees from 37 countries, bringing together passionate advocates, campaigners, academics, funders, communicators, and movement builders. From the energy in the conference hallways to the depth of the conversations, the summit offered something extraordinary: a safe, thoughtful, and dynamic space where African voices led and African stories were at the center.

In my opening address, I shared a personal hope, one that has stayed with me for a long time:

“That one day, we will look back and see that the first AVA Africa Summit was a turning point for the animal welfare and vegan advocacy movement on the continent.”

As the summit unfolded, we saw that vision begin to take root in reality. Attendees, many of whom were meeting in person for the first time, formed deep bonds. They exchanged ideas, explored collaborative tactics, and generously shared their experiences of working in diverse contexts across Africa.

The atmosphere was charged with a sense of both urgency and possibility. You could sense that something significant was unfolding; something that might shape the future of animal welfare and vegan advocacy in the years to come.

Strategic Thinking for an African Future

One of the summit’s standout moments was the opening session, which brought together powerful voices to reflect on what it means to build effective, Africa-centric strategies for farmed animal advocacy.

The session challenged all of us to think strategically and pragmatically about food systems in Africa. It was a grounded, honest conversation about how to prevent the rise of industrial factory farming while centering solutions that are culturally relevant and locally informed.

Panelists, each with unique experiences and expertise, emphasized that what works in other regions may not work here. Africa requires strategies that are deeply tied to local realities; from food traditions and agricultural practices to economic frameworks and cultural worldviews. This was a powerful reminder that real progress happens when we stop copying models and start creating our own, led by people who understand the context, the community, and the continent.

Centering African Identity in the Vegan Narrative

The closing session of the summit was just as profound. It explored African ideologies and mythologies concerning veganism and invited us to consider how veganism is not foreign to Africa, but rooted in it.

Through a compelling narrative, the session reframed veganism through the lens of Africanness, highlighting the African concept of the circle of life, a philosophy built on balance, respect, and interconnectedness. These values align beautifully with the principles of the animal welfare and vegan advocacy movement.

What We Learned From Each Other

One of the most beautiful things about this summit was how much learning came from each other; not just from sessions or presentations, but from hallway conversations, evening meals, informal chats, and shared laughter. Across social media and other platforms, many participants have echoed similar reflections:

“It was inspiring to connect with so many passionate advocates. ~ Ethical Seafood Research”

“It was inspiring to engage with visionary leaders working relentlessly to create impactful, context-specific change within their communities. ~ Nurture Imvelo Trust”

Key Takeaways

Here are a few of the core takeaways that strongly resonated with us:

1. African problems need African solutions. We must keep advocating for context-specific, culturally grounded, and community-led approaches.
2. Relationships are everything. So much advocacy happens not just through campaigns, but through trust, collaboration, and shared vision.
3. Veganism and animal welfare work are not foreign to Africa. They are deeply aligned with African spirituality, philosophy, and ecology.
4. We’re stronger when we’re together. The summit reminded us that we are part of a growing, committed, and brilliant movement across the continent.

A Platform for Change!

The AVA Africa Summit was not just a dynamic gathering;  it was the birth of a living, breathing network of changemakers. Beyond the panels and presentations, we saw real action begin, with new alliances and projects already taking root. African advocates were seen, heard, and celebrated. What made this summit especially powerful was the diversity of voices: from young vegan entrepreneurs in Nairobi to rural community leaders in East Africa. Their stories reminded us that African solutions arise from African realities, balancing innovation with deep-rooted wisdom. A space where new strategies emerged and where collective dreams for a better, kinder, more just continent began to take shape. As I reflect on the past few days, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for every speaker, every attendee, every volunteer, and every conversation that took place.

As we move forward, let us continue nurturing the connections we made. Stay engaged with the AVA Africa community, support the work in this region, and keep championing Africa’s leadership in the global animal advocacy movement. The summit does not end here. We invite every attendee to stay engaged, continue the conversations, join the AVA network, mentor new advocates, and help us amplify African voices in global forums. 

To everyone who supported, attended, or contributed—thank you for believing in this vision. The journey has only just begun. We look forward to seeing you in Ghana in 2026, stronger, more connected, and more determined than ever!