Driving the transition to Humane and Sustainable Poultry Systems
Poultry Welfare and Sustainable Systems (POWELS) is transforming Africa’s poultry sector by advancing cage-free farming, ethical production practices, and animal welfare standards that protect billions of birds while strengthening food safety, farmer livelihoods, and public health. Operating across Nigeria and expanding across Africa, POWELS works with governments to develop and implement Animal Welfare Policies, supports farmers in transitioning to humane cage-free systems through demonstration farms and technical assistance, and connects ethical producers to better local and international markets through the AgrowSAFE digital marketplace. The program integrates cutting-edge digital tools, with on-the-ground capacity building, corporate engagement securing cage-free commitments, and consumer awareness campaigns reaching millions. POWELS addresses the urgent need to move away from intensive battery cage systems that compromise bird welfare, increase disease risk, and threaten food safety through antimicrobial overuse.
Focus Areas: Animal Welfare | Sustainable Agriculture | Food Safety | Market Systems | Digital Innovation
The Sustainable Impact Resource Guide and Toolkit is being developed through six key phases
We partner with governments to develop Animal Welfare Policies and embed them into national systems and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagements that coordinate policy implementation across federal and state levels.
We establish demonstration farms that prove cage-free systems work in African contexts and support farmers through every step of their transition journey. Farmers receive hands-on training, technical consultations, access to our RORE digital platform for farm management, connections to equipment suppliers, and ongoing support through farmer field schools.
We’re building markets that reward humane production by working with retailers, hotels, restaurants, and food manufacturers to adopt cage-free sourcing commitments. Our AgrowSAFE digital marketplace connects ethical producers directly with buyers, while industry-wide standards and guidelines create clarity for responsible supply chains.
Through our POWELS Fellowship program, consumer campaigns, and partnerships with health organizations, faith leaders, and civil society, we’re creating widespread understanding and demand for cage-free eggs. Our work mobilizes diverse voices, from religious communities to consumer protection groups, in support of humane poultry production.
We’re building POWELS to last by testing sustainable revenue models, securing long-term partnerships, and laying groundwork for expansion across Africa. Our approach includes developing certification frameworks and establishing the institutional foundations needed to transform the poultry sector for generations to come.
Active implementation across Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia
Active implementation across 23 Nigerian states: Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Edo, Enugu, FCT, Ilorin, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe
Watch our field team in action during the consultative workshops in West Africa.
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This paper examines how housing systems affect layer hen welfare, comparing conventional cages with cage-free environments. It outlines welfare risks linked to confinement, limited movement, and behavioral restriction in cages. The authors show that cage-free systems better support natural behaviors, reduce stress, and promote healthier hens, advocating improved housing standards
Join our mission to build resilient health systems for a safer future.
The poultry farmers’ training and WhatsApp community have been a really great help to me. It connects the gap between farmers and vets while helping us learn from each other. I’m grateful to OHDI for this impactful initiative.
