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By Annonciata Byukusenge
Africa is home to approximately 33 million donkeys, representing about two-thirds of the world’s total donkey population. These animals are crucial for rural livelihoods across the continent. However, donkey populations are facing a significant decline due to the increasing demand for their hides, primarily for the traditional Chinese medicine industry.
Raphael Kinoti, Regional Director of Brooke in East Africa, said: “The threat of African donkey populations dwindling due to this murderous trade is a very real one.
“They deserve compassion and are a lifeline for millions of communities, and this trade has created a crisis that demands urgent, unified action.”
In 2024, the African Union opted for a continent-wide ban on the skin trade, thanks to lobbying from Brooke. If this is sustained, it could increase the donkey population to 30 million by 2040.
Brooke and The International Coalition of Working Equids (ICWE) will attend The Pan African Donkey Conference (PADCo) on 26 to 27 June 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire, to support the African Union’s ban and call for wider action.
The conference was organized by the African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), which encourages Africa to recognise donkeys as sentient beings who are essential to socio-economic development. Africa could lose half its donkeys by 2040.
In Machakos County, Kenya, a man named Sylvester relied on his two donkeys to fetch water as far as five kilometres away, carry farm goods to markets, and cushion his family against poverty.
One night, Sylvester’s donkeys, a foal, and their mother were stolen and brutally murdered for their skins and meat for trading at the market.
“I couldn’t believe it”, Sylvester said, “My donkeys were like family.
“Losing them felt like a betrayal.”
Like Sylvester, hundreds of families in Africa lose donkeys, their lifelines, each year to the trade, eroding community cohesion and cultural heritage.
When donkeys are stolen, it often means children carry heavy water containers themselves and must stop going to school.
At Brooke we are also calling for a global ban on the trade and campaigning to reduce consumer demand for donkey skin products, by boycotting platforms selling ejiao.
In 2024, our sister organisation, Brooke USA, delivered 370,000 petition signatures to Amazon to ban its sale of donkey skin products.
Global Context
The world’s donkey population is estimated at 53 million, with Africa holding a large majority.
African Distribution: Ethiopia has the largest donkey population in the world, with over 11 million donkeys.
Livelihood Importance
Donkeys play a vital role in supporting rural African communities by providing transportation, carrying heavy loads, and contributing to agriculture and income generation.
Threats to the Population
The escalating trade in donkey hides for products like ejiao (a gelatin-like substance used in traditional medicine and cosmetics) is a major threat to African donkey populations.
Impact of the Trade
Some reports suggest that Africa could lose half its donkey population by 2040 if the skin trade continues unchecked.
Conservation Efforts
African heads of state have agreed to ban the trade of donkey skin, recognizing the need to protect this valuable species.
There are an estimated 50 million donkeys in the world. They are primarily used for work, such as carting goods and people, carrying water, and as draft power in agriculture. The majority of donkeys are found in underdeveloped countries, with significant populations in Asia and Africa.
Global Population: Approximately 50 million donkeys are working across the world.
Primary Use: Donkeys are predominantly used for work, including carrying loads, providing transportation, and assisting with agricultural tasks.
Geographic Distribution: Over half of the world’s donkey population is found in Asia, with just over a quarter in Africa.
Regional Trends: While donkey populations have generally increased in sub-Saharan Africa, the north of the Indian subcontinent, and the tropical highlands of Latin America, there have been declines in the Mediterranean region.
Specific Countries: China and Ethiopia have the largest donkey populations. Ethiopia is reported to have more than 10 million donkeys.
Mule Population: There are also an estimated 10 million mules working worldwide.
