Commercialisation of pastoralist livestock systems in East Africa has been increasing since the early 1900s. This process involves selling livestock for profit, including exports, regional trade, and supplying domestic markets. However, not all producers benefit equally from these new market opportunities. Factors within pastoralist societies influence how commercialisation develops, leading to disparities in benefits for poorer producers. Recent research in south-east Ethiopia and northern Kenya sheds light on these dynamics.