governance

How ADCP is Governed

Pilot Phase Governance

Lean, Transparent & Country-Owned

During the pilot phase, ADCP operates with a lean, transparent and collaborative governance model appropriate to its programmatic nature. The model ensures accountability, credibility and country co-ownership — without premature legal or institutional commitments.


Steering Committee

Oversight is provided by a Steering Committee composed of representatives from participating national dairy institutions.

  • Provides strategic guidance on program priorities
  • Reviews progress against agreed objectives and outputs
  • Supports transparency, accountability and collective ownership
  • Serves as consultative forum for major strategic decisions

During the pilot phase, the Steering Committee does not exercise executive or legal authority over participating institutions. Composition will be agreed consultatively at the start of the pilot.

Program Secretariat

ADCP is coordinated by a small founding secretariat with direct experience in African dairy sector development and continental agricultural coordination.

  • Operates transparently under Steering Committee oversight
  • Fully accountable to participating institutions
  • Supported through founder-funded, in-kind contributions
  • No cost to participating countries during the pilot

The identity and background of the founding coordinators are available upon request and will be shared openly with any institution considering participation.

Funding & Sustainability

Pathway to Long-Term Sustainability

The pilot phase of ADCP is intentionally lean and independently driven. Long-term financing and institutional sustainability options will be discussed collectively with participating countries as part of the pilot phase process.

Funding Approach Pilot Phase Post-Pilot (Potential)
Membership fees None To be agreed collectively
Commissioned intelligence products Selective sponsorship (neutrality-protected) Expanded offering
Development partner engagement Selective, mandate-aligned Strategic partnerships
Secretariat costs Founder-funded (in-kind) Member-supported
Pilot Timeline

18-Month Pilot Phase at a Glance

Apr – May 2026Program Initiation
  • Program set-up: bank account, digital identity, lean website, official communications
  • Outreach to national dairy institutions across target countries
  • Receipt of Expressions of Interest and confirmation of focal points
  • Bilateral clarification calls with interested institutions
June 2026Consultative Briefing
  • Continental consultative meeting with participating institutions
  • Proposed as a side event at a relevant regional gathering
  • Validation of program objectives, priorities and delivery expectations
  • Alignment on pilot focus and Steering Committee composition
Jul 2026 – Apr 2027Value Delivery
  • First Africa Dairy Market Brief (July 2026)
  • Policy, trade & regulatory intelligence tracking begins
  • Knowledge exchange webinar series: 4–6 sessions
  • Second Africa Dairy Market Brief (November 2026)
  • Africa Dairy Outlook Report: scoping, drafting, publication (December 2026)
May – Sep 2027Reflection & Planning
  • 12-month retrospective with participating institutions
  • Structured consultations on institutional options, governance and sustainability
  • Pilot evaluation report
  • Collective decision by participating countries on path toward formalisation