Buzzing for biodiversity: Kenya Leads World Bee Day Celebrations as Pollination Gains Prominence in Continental Agricultural Strategy

Turkana County, Kenya, hosted the 7th World Bee Day under the theme "Bee Inspired By Nature to Nature Us All," placing the spotlight on the apiculture sector. From May 16-20, 2025, the celebrations highlighted the essential role of pollinators and bees in safeguarding food security, preserving biodiversity, and bolstering rural livelihoods. Local leaders, communities, and institutions, including AU-IBAR, actively participated in a series of events encompassing educational initiatives, tree planting, stakeholder engagements, and reinforced policy integration efforts.

The annual World Bee Day, officially on May 20th, serves as a global reminder of the contribution of bees and other pollinators to ecosystem health and human well-being. The main agenda was to share experiences related to beekeeping, plant trees in selected enclosed areas to protect biodiversity and to create awareness on the importance of the bee as an important pollinator. This year, Kenya took the lead in extending the celebration beyond a single day, transforming it into a five-day experience that highlighted the benefits of apiculture. The celebrations included tree planting, marathons, excursions, exhibitions and a symposium that brought together government officials, scientists, farmers, beekeepers, civil society and development partners.

Dr. Annie Lewa, representing AU-IBAR, pointed out the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding pollinators and supporting sustainable beekeeping practices. “The honey value chain plays a key role in feeding the population through the supply of honey and other products and in agricultural production, through the provision of pollination services. By supporting pollination, we support farmers, livestock and our collective future.” she emphasized.

This year’s celebration coincided with the formal inclusion of pollination services and apiculture in the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Strategy and Action Plan for 2026–2035 - a move that cements pollinators at the heart of Africa’s agricultural transformation agenda. The African Union’s launch of the CAADP Strategy and Action Plan 2026–2035 marks a turning point for pollination services and apiculture on the continent. The new strategy, unveiled in Johannesburg in May 2025, sets ambitious targets: mobilizing $100 billion in investments, increasing agrifood output by 45%, tripling intra-African trade in farm goods and halving post-harvest losses. The strategy calls for strengthening agricultural input systems including pollination, by improving access to quality seeds, feed, water, technology and pollination services. It also emphasizes investments in regional value chains, trade policies, infrastructure and services to connect African farmers with broader markets.

The integration of pollination services and apiculture into the CAADP 2026–2035 strategy signals a new era for African agriculture; one that recognizes the role of bees and pollinators in sustaining food systems, ecosystems and rural economies. As Kenya’s World Bee Day celebrations demonstrated, investing in pollination services is not only about protecting bees but also about nourishing communities, empowering women and youth, and building a resilient, sustainable future for all.

As Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, Chief Officer for Livestock Development in Turkana, put it: “Bees are more than honey producers; they are vital custodians of our ecosystems, engines of our economy and symbols of resilience and hope”

Over the years, AU-IBAR has played a critical role in the promotion of apiculture and bee health throughout the region. This is due to their awareness of the critical role that pollinators play in the preservation of food security, livelihoods, and the environment. AU-IBAR has facilitated the development of skills in both beekeepers and policymakers by convening technical experts, initiating regional discourse, and implementing initiatives such as the Bee Health Project, in conjunction with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), and the formation of the African Apiculture Platform. These measures have enhanced the monitoring of diseases in bee populations, disseminated best practices for api management, and strengthened the honey value chain. By supporting Kenya's leadership in the 2025 World Bee Day celebrations, AU-IBAR reaffirmed its commitment to a future in which pollinators are safeguarded, apiculture is a top priority in agricultural policies, and local communities are equipped with the necessary resources to thrive in harmony with nature.

Above Pictures - from Left to Right:
Dr. Annie Lewa, Senior Programs and Project Planning Officer during the tree planting session 
Youth commemorating the event
ICIPE/ AU-IBAR Bee Health - based at the African Reference Laboratory for Bee Health