Our Correspondent, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tanzania’s beekeeping sector continued to gain international recognition as the country actively participated in the 49th International Apimondia Congress, which opened on September 23, 2025, in Copenhagen.
The event brought together over 7,000 participants from 121 countries.
Leading the Tanzanian delegation was Prof. Dos Santos Silayo, Commissioner for Conservation at the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS). The team included representatives from research institutions TaFORI, TAWIRI, TARI, and private stakeholders such as Grand Apiary, Bee Topia Tanzania, PMM, and Worker Bees Africa. Delegates presented research findings, products, and business strategies, elevating Tanzania’s profile on the global beekeeping stage.
Alongside the congress, the ApiExpo trade fair featured 179 companies from 44 countries, showcasing innovative products and equipment for the beekeeping industry.
During opening remarks, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu and European Parliament Vice President Martin Hojsík highlighted the critical role of bees in food security, biodiversity, and rural development.
On September 24, South Africa’s Ambassador to Scandinavia, Fikile Sylvia Magubane, visited Tanzania’s exhibition stand, praising the country’s ability to export honey to the European Union while meeting high-quality standards. She also inquired why the 2027 Apimondia Congress would no longer be held in Arusha.
Prof. Silayo explained that delays in constructing the new MKICC international conference center had prompted Apimondia to move the 2027 meeting to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Despite the shift, Tanzania has been recognized as a leading example in Africa’s honey trade, with experts encouraging the country to strengthen regional partnerships to further secure its position in the global market.
