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Zoetis, a leading global animal health company, has announced that it would receive a $14.4 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over the next three years to develop veterinary diagnostic networks and animal health infrastructure in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Uganda.

The New Jersey-based company said on Monday that the grant will enable it develop veterinary laboratory networks and outreach services to increase the availability of local veterinary medicines and services; implement sustainable disease diagnostics; and strengthen local veterinary expertise. The project will be called the African Livestock Productivity and Health Advancement (A.L.P.H.A.) initiative.

“We believe the combination of Zoetis’ leadership in animal health and experience in forging broad collaborations in emerging markets will allow us to accelerate the advancement of animal health in the region,” said Juan Ramón Alaix, Chief Executive Officer of Zoetis. “Access to medicines and technology will help farmers raise healthier animals and secure more sustainable revenue, which is critical to the economic development of the region and well-being of its population.”

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the largest livestock populations in the world – and the highest density of impoverished livestock farmers. Livestock are an essential asset to rural communities and the health of livestock is critical to achieving food security in areas of exceptionally high animal and human disease incidence, according to the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute.

As part of the project, Zoetis said it will collaborate with governmental authorities, local veterinary associations, national and international NGOs, farmer associations and the private sector to maximize its ability to positively impact the region. Over the course of the three-year project, Zoetis said it will use the progress made and key learnings to work towards a longer-term sustainable business model and animal health infrastructure for livestock farmers in the region.

Founded in 1952, Zoetis is the world’s largest producer of medicines, vaccinations, diagnostic products, genetic tests, etc. for pets and livestock. The company serves veterinarians, livestock producers, and people who raise and care for farm animals. In 2016, the company generated annual revenue of $4.9 billion with approximately 9,000 employees and sales in over 100 countries.