Develop Policy Briefs

Expert Consultative Meeting on Access

to Markets & input services for African
Beehive Products
11th October 2017

European Commission
 Development of Policy briefs

Boosting intra and inter regional

trade of honey and bee products
 Development of Policy briefs
1.1. The problem
Difficult to trade within Africa (tariff and non tariff barriers)
African consumers do not value products from the Continent (Wrong perception of local
products)
1.2 Why is it important?
It limits trade within Africa
Africa offers a vast and untapped market
We should be able to succeed in our market first before going outside (or Local market has
less complication )
2. Background
Africa offers vast potentials for both production and consumption: population (1,1 billion),
healthy bees, conducive climate and ecosystem;
Existence of Regional Economic Communities, as vehicles which can do more to facilitate
trade
Existence of bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements whose implementation is not
fully supportive of trade in bee products.
Non familiarization of existing bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements by the
private sector
Weak private sector organizations and structures
 Development of Policy briefs
3. Causes of current situation
Partial/selective/non-application of bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements
Non-tariff barriers
Technical barriers to trade (TBT)
4. Effects of current situation
Poor returns/earnings on investments: many startups close down within 02 years
Countries with surplus are unable to trade with those where there is shortage
Products being delayed or rejected at the border points
5. Proposed Solutions.
5. 1 What are the options? ( for each option):
Harmonization of customs unions in Africa (RECs and AU)
Create an enabling business environment (Lobbying governments, RECs and AU to put in
place legislations, policies and programs to support apiculture sector)
Harmonization and application of bee products standards in Africa
Create and promote avenues for sharing information
Empower national/regional/continental trade support structures
Expose traders, processors and exporters to various markets
 Development of Policy briefs
5.2 What are the potential benefits?
Increased trade because of easy access to market
Increased private/public sector investment
Increased visibility (to attract investment, increased demand)
Incentive to boost production: greater income to producers, processors and interrelated
actors; improve livelihood of rural beekeepers.
Increased contribution of bee products to GDP
Higher food security through increased pollination
5.3 What will it cost?
*
5.4 What side-effects might there be?)
Ease of trade and access to market may lead to collapse of some domestic businesses due
to stiff competition
5.5 Expected outcomes/impacts
greater income to producers, processors and interrelated actors;
improve livelihood of rural beekeepers.
Higher food security through increased pollination
Environmental protection
 Development of Policy briefs
5.6 How will these changes improve the situation?
It will lead to the mainstreaming and elevating the apiculture sector as a key Africa Agenda
It will catapult the African bee products into a global business
AU-IBAR: Providing leadership in the development of animal
resources for Africa