• Africa now produces 223,000 tons of honey, 12 % of global output

• Startups use connected tools to boost yields and improve product traceability

• Digital tech helps access new markets but adoption still faces key barriers

Beekeeping is still considered a minor sector in many African countries, but its economic, social, and environmental impact is rising fast. In 2023, Africa produced 223,000 tons of honey, making up 12 % of global production, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). That is a strong jump from 2013, when the continent produced 155,000 tons, about 10 % of global output.

The FAO’s May 2025 report, “Digital Technologies and Solutions for Beekeeping,” says production and revenue can increase further with greater use of technology to improve hive management, ensure traceability, and access new markets.

Connected Tools for Precision Beekeeping

Some African countries are already seeing the sector go digital through locally adapted apps. In Burkina Faso, startup Smart-Apic has developed a platform that monitors beehives remotely using sensors and a mobile app. The system tracks hive weight, temperature, humidity, and bee activity to detect diseases early, optimize harvests, and cut losses.

In Ethiopia, entrepreneur Abiye Tadeos and his startup Anabi Agritech Solutions use Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor hive conditions in real time, even in remote rural areas.

These digital tools, often created by local startups, aim to raise productivity while reducing the physical workload for beekeepers.

Traceability, Blockchain, and Global Market Access

One of Africa’s biggest beekeeping challenges is getting honey into formal markets and exports. Traceability, made easier by mobile apps and blockchain, has become a key advantage. It helps fight counterfeiting that hurts product value. According to the FAO, blockchain technology certifies honey’s origin, purity, and quality—factors that global buyers and organic labels increasingly demand.

Digital tools also help small producers track prices, market demand, and trends via exchange platforms or WhatsApp and Telegram groups. This improves bargaining power and reduces reliance on costly middlemen.

Training, Inclusion, and Digital Skills

Tech adoption is not limited to production tools. Information platforms, training apps, and professional social networks help beekeepers build skills, share best practices, and create support communities. These networks strengthen the sector’s ability to handle climate and health risks.

But adoption faces hurdles: equipment costs, poor access to credit, and low digital literacy in rural areas slow progress. FAO experts urge simple, affordable tools tailored to local needs, along with training programs targeting women and young people.

Market Growth and Economic Potential

Global Market Insights reports that the global beekeeping market exceeded $10.5 billion in 2024 and will grow by 4.2 % annually through 2034, fueled by demand for natural products, organic honey, and pollination solutions for sustainable farming.

Africa’s rapid honey production growth positions the continent to claim a bigger share of this market, but only with smart investment in digital tools, certification, and training.

For investors, NGOs, and governments, the challenge is to expand access to technology, strengthen digital infrastructure, and promote sustainable, inclusive beekeeping models. Initiatives like Smart-Apic and Anabi Agritech Solutions show how local innovation can transform the sector, but success depends on ambitious policies and adequate funding.