Majaliwa calls for innovation in beekeeping as Tanzania prepares to host Apimondia 2027
What you need to know:
- As the official host of Apimondia 2027, Tanzania is positioning itself to lead the continent in sustainable beekeeping, pollination services, and bee product development.
Dodoma. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has issued a call to action for Tanzania’s beekeeping industry, urging the adoption of innovation and scientific research to transform the sector ahead of the Apimondia International Apicultural Congress to be held in Tanzania in 2027.
Speaking during World Bee Day commemorations at Chinangali Grounds in Dodoma on May 20, 2025, the Prime Minister highlighted the immense potential of apiculture not only as a source of income for millions but also as a key pillar in biodiversity conservation, food security, and climate resilience.
“Beekeeping is not just a traditional rural activity—it is a strategic sector for economic growth and environmental sustainability,” said Mr Majaliwa. “With over two million Tanzanians engaged in apiculture, we must modernise through climate-smart technologies and invest in research-driven solutions.”
As the official host of Apimondia 2027, Tanzania is positioning itself to lead the continent in sustainable beekeeping, pollination services, and bee product development.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering regional and international partnerships to advance Africa’s standing in global apiculture.
Innovation and local solutions take centre stage
One of the highlights of the event was the recognition of Kijiji Cha Nyuki Singida, a local enterprise leading innovation in the sector.
Mr Majaliwa lauded the firm’s creation of the Singida Techno-hive, a climate-resilient, biotech-enabled beehive designed to improve colony retention and boost production of diverse hive products such as royal jelly, bee pollen, propolis, and beeswax.
Describing the innovation as a “model of localized biotechnology,” the Prime Minister said such solutions represent the future of value-added agriculture and rural industrialisation.
He also endorsed the development of pollen-based apitherapy products, noting their rising relevance in boosting immunity and managing chronic illnesses.
Mr Majaliwa encouraged Tanzanian scientists and health innovators to expand research into nature-based therapies, particularly those derived from the country’s rich natural ecosystems.
Ambitious expansion targets 40,000 tons of honey annually
In a major announcement at the event, Kijiji Cha Nyuki Singida unveiled plans to scale up its operations over the next five years.
The enterprise, which has already developed 300 hectares of bee-friendly agroforestry reserves, aims to produce 1.2 million high-performance hives and generate 40,000 metric tonnes of honey annually.
According to CEO Mr Philemon Kiemi, the project is expected to create 6,000 direct jobs and elevate Tanzania’s status as a leading exporter of premium honey and bee-derived products.
The initiative, he said, aligns with the government’s broader industrialisation agenda and supports bio-based rural enterprise development.
“This marks a turning point for Tanzania’s apiculture sector. With the right investment and policy support, we can become a global hub for scientific beekeeping and sustainable bio-industries,” Mr Kiemi said.
He called on farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to support the rollout of the Singida Techno-hive, which he described as a scalable, ecosystem-specific innovation adaptable to different climatic zones in Tanzania.
Beekeeping as a driver of sustainable growth
The government’s support for apiculture comes at a time when the sector is being increasingly recognised for its cross-cutting impact on environmental and economic development.
With growing global demand for organic honey and bee products, Tanzania’s potential remains largely untapped—something the government and private sector now appear determined to change.
As preparations for Apimondia 2027 continue, Tanzania’s beekeeping sector is undergoing a quiet transformation—shifting from subsistence-level production to a science-led, commercially viable industry poised to deliver returns for both the environment and the economy.
