Africa Sustainable Livestock 2050 (ASL2050) is drawing lessons out of the past growth of the livestock sector in Asia to assist countries in the African continent to formulate policies that ensure a sustainable growth of livestock, from an environmental, public health and social perspective. This document is part of a series of six documents within the ASL2050 project comparing livestock sector development in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. These broad overviews sharpen our understanding, highlight contrasts and similarities, test hypotheses, and inform the decision-making process.