With the support of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and the Mastercard Foundation, young beekeepers showcased top-quality hive products that helped the African Livestock Exhibition and Congress (ALEC) reach its biggest scale by providing an excellent setting for active business opportunities. The largest trade show of the year, the 8^th ALEC and the 3^rd Etho-Apicture Expo took place from October 26–28, 2023, at Addis Ababa’s Millennium Hall, garnering significant attention from both domestic and international visitors. Diplomats, policymakers, research and development partners, industry representatives, the business community, and practitioners were among the visitors who took advantage of the opportunity to interact with young beekeepers and observe and taste their products.

Photo: Ababaye Birhanu from Bikiltu Beekeeping Enterprise, Leka Dulecha district of Oromia region, sold honey to visitors during the ALEC exhibition.

There was an extensive array of side forums and presentations on cutting-edge technologies, products, and services related to dairy, poultry, aquaculture, and apiculture in the show area. We attribute a great deal of our success to having participated in this prestigious event, which was attended by many notable personalities as well as over 100 exhibitors from 17 different nations. The innovative products we showcased through beekeeping youth enterprises were ushering in a new era for the transformation of the apiculture sector and youth livelihoods. The icipe booth hosted a number of VIPs, including H.E. Amb. Henk Jan Bakker, the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ ambassador; Dr Alemayehu Mekonen, the state minister’s advisor to MOA; Mr Osama Moustafa, president and CEO of Expo Team for Service Co. Ltd. (Sudan); Dr Kebour Ghenna, Executive Director Pan African Chamber of Commerce & Industries; and numerous others. The event attracted extensive attention from several media outlets.