The current state of African beekeeping value chains: a systematic review with insights from Benin

Honey production and its associated value chain are being increasingly recognized across Africa for their significant economic, environmental, and livelihood contributions. We reviewed 16 studies published between 2014 and 2024, focusing on technological levels, stakeholder roles, organizational patterns, coordination mechanisms, and challenges to honey value chains across African countries. Analyses reveal an increasing research interest in the topic since 2021, mostly concentrated in Ethiopia. Traditional beehive systems were the most common, accounting for 54.2% of all the reported systems, despite achieving a low average output (9.42 kg/hive/year on average). Transitional and modern systems had low adoption rates; however, they demonstrated significantly higher economic returns (20.51–21.67 kg/hive/year on average), underscoring their potential to enhance output and income. The honey value chain features multiple direct actors—including input suppliers, producers, traders, processors, and consumers—and indirect actors such as government agencies, NGOs, and financial institutions that support technology adoption and access to market. Our systematic review identified two main organizational structures, including cooperatives and market unions, which showed strong coordination mechanisms for countries like Ethiopia and Zambia. Conversely, Benin’s chain is characterized by limited market coordination, a domestic orientation, substantial female participation in processing, heavily reliant on NGO assistance with limited value addition. Key determinants of honey yield include hive type, number of hives, technology adoption, and biological factors such as pests and colony health. Adopting modern beekeeping systems, strengthening value chain coordination, and fostering inclusive policies could enhance productivity and livelihoods.