Ethiopia’s GLI Boosts Honey Production, Expands Opportunities for Women and Youth: UNIDO

Addis Ababa, February 2, 2026 (ENA)—Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative (GLI) is strengthening honey production while opening new income opportunities for women and young people, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

In an interview with ENA, UNIDO Country Representative Stephen Bainous Kargbo said the country’s beekeeping drive is a major intervention that links environmental restoration with sustainable livelihoods.

“Organized cooperatives, many of them led by women producers, are playing a central role in transforming the sector,” Kargbo said.

He noted that UNIDO is encouraging young people to take up apiculture as a viable business. “Beyond boosting biodiversity, bees offer a profitable venture that can be adapted to different locations,” he added.

Kargbo stressed that turning apiculture into a competitive and export-oriented industry requires strict standards and consistent quality across the value chain.

“From production to processing, interventions must ensure honey meets market requirements, including proper testing laboratories and certification,” he said, noting that such measures protect producers from losses and help Ethiopian honey secure premium prices on international markets.

According to Kargbo, these efforts can significantly improve livelihoods, particularly for women and youth, while supporting Ethiopia’s broader economic goals.

He added that UNIDO works closely with government institutions and development partners to advance the country’s industrial and agricultural priorities.

Ethiopia’s diverse ecology, from coffee growing lowlands to cool highlands, gives it a strong advantage in producing distinctive honey varieties.

Kargbo said the ongoing formalization of the sector through inclusive cooperatives is key to unlocking this potential.

He expressed confidence that new regulations and alignment with international standards will help rebuild capacity and restore Ethiopia’s position in the global honey market.

“Our interventions aim to increase export volumes, generate income for the economy, and create jobs,” he said.

Kargbo also noted the role of the Green Legacy Initiative in sustaining apiculture by strengthening natural ecosystems.

“Bees, plants, flowers, and forests are natural allies,” he said. “The initiative supports bee populations by expanding forage, which is essential for producing honey and other byproducts. Green development is central to the expansion of apiculture as a business.”

Reflecting on his experience in Sierra Leone, he said local flora determines honey flavor, citing coffee scented honey from coffee zones and cocoa infused honey from cacao areas.

He added that Ethiopia’s varied landscapes offer similar prospects for differentiated products based on pollen sources.

Reforestation and greening efforts, Kargbo said, benefit not only beekeeping but also environmental protection, public health, and long-term economic growth.