This chapter presents a synthesis of current knowledge on the African dairy value chain, exploring its multifaceted nature. The first section provides an overview of the dairy value chain in Africa, focusing on its structure, characteristics, and socioeconomic importance (Sect. 2.2). The second section analyzes the factors influencing sectoral development, identifying key bottlenecks and drivers of transformation (Sect. 2.3). The third section delves into a detailed value chain analysis, covering its components and the various production systems found across the continent (Sect. 2.4). Subsections examine primary production, collection and aggregation, processing, and distribution, highlighting disparities and challenges between formal and informal systems. Finally, the fourth section offers a critical analysis of documented case studies (Sect. 2.5), showcasing successful practices and strategies that have fostered sectoral growth in different African countries. Throughout, this chapter addresses issues such as market fragmentation, inefficiencies, and challenges in quality control and public health arising from informal market dominance. Regional disparities in infrastructure, access to technologies, and resources, as well as socioeconomic inequalities in gender and market participation, are explored. Environmental sustainability concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions and water use, are also highlighted as pressing issues. This chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for holistic, context-specific interventions to address these challenges, alongside comprehensive metrics to guide the sustainable and inclusive development of the African dairy sector.