Agro-ecological zones of sub-Saharan Africa; ILCA in Africa; Important mile-stones in ILCA's history; Origins and mandate; The proposed shape of the Centre; Location of the Centre; Task forces and their reports; The early years: focus on systems descriptions; Systems research; Agro-ecological zones; Zonal research programmes; Studies in the highlands; Studies in the humid zone; Studies in the subhumid zone; Studies in the semi-arid zone; Monitoring development projects; Complementary studies; Training and information; First quinquennial review of ILCA; Systems description and component research: ILCA's programme matures; Highlands; Humid zone; Subhumid zone; Semi-arid zone; Ethiopian rangelands; Kenyan rangelands; Central research and support units; Training and information; A new focus to ILCA's research; ILCA's strategy and long-term plan; From strategy to medium-term plan; ILCA's programme, 1987-93; Cattle milk and meat thrust; Small ruminant meat and milk thrust; Animal traction thrust; Animal feed resources thrust; Trypanotolerance thrust; Livestock policy and resource use thrust; ILCA's second medium-term plan, 1994-98; Factors influencing ILCA's second medium-term plan; Developing the programme; ILCA's seven programme themes; MTP reviewed and approved; Moves towards a global livestock research institute; Livestock steering committee; Moves towards a new shape; Benefits for livestock producers world-wide.