Scaling up honey production status in Africa: potentials, trends, challenges and future developmental implications: a PRISMA model approach

Beekeeping, or apiculture, is a prominent and traditional practice across Africa, significantly contributing to food security, income generation, and biodiversity conservation. The continent’s rich flora and favorable climate enable year-round beekeeping; however, its honey production potential remains largely untapped. This review aims to consolidate literature regarding honey production in Africa, assessing its potential, trends, challenges, and future implications. Utilizing the PRISMA model for data collection, findings from peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2025 were synthesized, revealing a vibrant and growing honey production landscape with increasing domestic consumption and export demand, which constitutes a significant portion of global output. Nonetheless, many African nations operate below their production capacities due to several policy challenges, including dependency on traditional methods, inadequate access to modern equipment, and insufficient investments in services related to apiculture, quality control, and technological adoption. Ethiopia and Tanzania are identified as exemplary models for knowledge sharing and regional policy integration regarding beekeeping. The review advocates for support for beekeepers and the promotion of innovative technologies focused on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. Improved market access and adherence to regional standards could position Africa as a leader in sustainable honey production, ultimately enhancing food security. Regional integration, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is suggested to broaden markets and enhance the competitiveness of African honey, alongside the development of honey value chains, certification, and traceability systems aimed at increasing export value and market access to premium markets in Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.