(Photo shared by @AfricanBee)

The Policy Practice (TPP) is supporting the development of a new apiculture initiative in the Republic of Congo as part of its work with Palladium on the Investing in Forests and Sustainable Land Use Programme (IFSLU).

The work sits within the Partnerships for Forests, a UK government initiative that promotes sustainable livelihoods alongside forest conservation across the Congo Basin using a market systems approach. TPP provides support on portfolio design and is leading efforts to embed political economy analysis (PEA) across the programme.

The apiculture project, led by TPP Associate Theodore Trefon, is being developed in the Pointe-Noire region in partnership with the Congolese NGO African Bee. It aims to strengthen community livelihoods while addressing declining bee populations and wider biodiversity risks.

Beekeeping is a well-established route to income generation that also supports forest conservation. However, delivering sustainable impact requires careful attention to local incentives, governance structures and market access. The proposed project combines technical support with a politically informed approach to programme design.

A key feature of the initiative is the introduction of digital tools to improve monitoring, reporting and product traceability. Revenue management systems have also been co-designed with beneficiaries to ensure transparency and local ownership.

Currently under review by Palladium ahead of submission to Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the project aims to move apiculture beyond subsistence activity towards a viable, market-oriented model that aligns conservation incentives with sustainable income generation.