In brief
Rwandan entrepreneur Grace Mbabazi of M&M Sozo Ltd. will showcase its natural‑processed honey at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, aiming to grow its presence in China. The company benefits from China’s zero‑tariff policy for 53 African countries and free exhibition booths provided at the expo, easing market entry costs. Mbabazi’s plans follow Rwanda’s long‑standing participation in the CIIE and its designation of honey as a priority export product.
M&M Sozo Ltd., a Kigali‑based honey producer, announced that it will exhibit its natural‑processed honey at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, 2024, aiming to unlock a large new market.
According to an interview with Xinhua, Grace Mbabazi, founder and CEO of M&M Sozo, said the expo’s free exhibition booths and “green channel” arrangements for African products would help reduce her company’s participation costs.
Our experience at the CIIE showed that the expo can help local businesses build commercial partnerships and introduce products such as honey to Chinese consumers.
Mbabazi added that China’s zero‑tariff policy for the 53 African countries aids Rwandan honey exports and that these preferential measures allow the firm to concentrate more resources on product development and packaging.
Rwanda has taken part in every CIIE edition since 2018; honey has been one of the country’s highlighted products during the event. The government also listed honey as its priority product under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s One Country One Priority Product initiative.
Data released by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board in 2022 shows roughly 120,000 beekeepers operating nationwide, underscoring the domestic potential that M&M Sozo aims to export. The company’s upcoming participation at the ninth CIIE follows her first exposure in 2024, which she described as a valuable stepping stone toward the Chinese market.
