Revealed in a Xinhua interview on Oct. 30, Rwandan honey‑producer Grace Mbabazi announced that her company M M Sozo Ltd. will exhibit its natural‑processed honey at the 2024 China International Import Expo in Shanghai, aiming to tap China’s zero‑tariff market for African goods.
Mbabazi, founder and chief executive officer of the Kigali‑based firm, cited the expo’s free exhibition booths, the “green channel” arrangements for products exported to China, and the broader preferential measures for exhibitors from Rwanda and other African nations as key incentives that will reduce her company’s marketing and participation costs.
She said the Chinese zero‑tariff policy for 53 African countries offers Rwandan honey a unique market entry point, and that her firm would use the opportunity to showcase product quality and engage with importers, distributors and other business partners.
In an earlier 2024 participation, Mbabazi described the CIIE as a valuable stepping stone for local businesses to build commercial partnerships and introduce products such as honey to Chinese consumers.
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 said in the interview.
The nine‑th edition of the CIIE, scheduled for Nov. 5–10 in Shanghai, will be her company’s next showcase. She hopes the event will raise brand awareness, generate potential sales deals, and deepen her understanding of the Chinese market.
Rwanda has participated in eight previous editions of the CIIE since its launch in 2018. According to data released by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board in 2022, about 120,000 beekeepers are operating across five major beekeeping zones in the country, including Akagera National Park and Kigali City.
M&M Sozo Ltd. is among the Rwandan exporters that have designated honey as a priority product under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ One Country One Priority Product initiative.
