Draught animals are a central part of the farming strategy in sub-Saharan Africa. Animal power increases labour productivity and reduces its arduousness, making it possible to increase the area cultivated and diversify income. Ploughing using draught animals, helps control weeds, manage water and maintain soil fertility. Achieving a balanced increase of equipment, cultivated area and farm labour is often a difficult challenge for small fanners just starting out. Promoters of the use of draught animals have developed a range of services within the framework of projects and development companies (extension, equipment, financing, for example). Today, as African States withdraw from their commitments to agriculture, new stakeholders are taking up position in the draught animal market (for example, veterinarians, loan institutions, blacksmiths). This new situation involves the renewal of research practices focusing on: incorporating operators' demands through a multidisciplinary approach, research operations in three phases (rebuilding demand, encouraging innovation and socialising the results) and simultaneous intervention at producer and service level. Five priority lines of research are proposed: diversification of equipment and draught teams; intensification through tilling, integration of crop and livestock fanning; professionalisation of emerging services; financing and advice regarding equipment.