By Stephen Kimani Kaboyo, Director, Bellafam Africa Limited | November 9, 2026
A year ago I wrote to you from Shenzhen, at the 6th International Conference for Apitherapy. This November, Bellafam Africa was back, this time in Guangzhou, China, for the 7th Conference for Apitherapy (ICA 2026), held 6 to 8 November. This year I wasn't only in the audience. I had a seat at the table with the experts.
Stephen Kimani Kaboyo arriving in Guangzhou, China
Back for a Second Year
Going back matters. Last year was about introducing Bellafam and African bee products to the global apitherapy community. This year was about the follow-up: picking up conversations from Shenzhen, meeting the same people again, and showing them that Kenya's beekeepers and apitherapy practitioners are here to stay.
ICA 2026 brought three events together in one venue:
- The 7th Conference for Apitherapy
- The 8th Annual Academic Conference of the Specialty Committee of Apitherapy of WFCMS (World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies)
- The First Academic Conference of the School of Acupuncture Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
The WFCMS Specialty Committee of Apitherapy hosted the event, and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine organised it. Co-organisers included the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations (Apimondia). Researchers, clinicians, beekeepers and industry people came from all over the world.
At the registration area for the 7th Conference for Apitherapy
A Seat at the Experts Symposium
The high point for me was being invited to the Symposium of Chinese and Foreign Experts. My name card was on the table next to leading apitherapy practitioners and researchers from China, Europe and beyond. It was a small, focused room where people actually talked to each other instead of just presenting.
I spoke for Africa there. I talked about our beekeepers, our flora, and the opportunity to build apitherapy across the continent on solid standards and real research partnerships.
"Last year we came to introduce Africa. This year we were invited to sit at the table. That is progress, and it belongs to every Kenyan beekeeper we work with."
Name card at the ICA 2026 Experts Symposium
"I Am Willing to Speak for Apitherapy"
At the conference photo wall, guests held up a sign that read 我愿意为蜂疗代言, which roughly means "I am willing to be a spokesperson for apitherapy." I held it up with pride. That has been Bellafam's job from the start: to speak for bee products and for the people who produce them, at home and abroad.
"I am willing to be a spokesperson for apitherapy" at the ICA 2026 photo wall
What I'm Bringing Home
Stronger Networks
New and renewed links with researchers, practitioners and industry leaders who want to work with Africa.
Research and Standards
A clearer picture of the testing, quality standards and clinical research that will help African bee products earn global trust.
Lessons from Traditional Chinese Medicine
China has brought apitherapy into its universities and clinics. Kenya can learn a lot from how they did it.
Market Opportunities
Real interest in honey, propolis and other bee products from Kenya, which could mean better income for our beekeepers.
What Comes Next
Conferences only matter if something happens after them. Over the coming months, Bellafam will:
- Follow up on every partnership conversation started in Guangzhou
- Share what we learned with our beekeepers and partners across Kenya
- Keep raising the quality and traceability of our bee products
- Work towards bringing more African voices to ICA next year
From Shenzhen in 2025 to Guangzhou in 2026, the journey continues. Thank you to our beekeepers, customers and partners who make it possible. This seat at the table is yours too.
Let's Build This Together
Researcher, distributor, practitioner or fellow beekeeper? We'd love to hear from you.
Connect With Bellafam Africa
7th Conference for Apitherapy (ICA 2026)
Guangzhou, China | November 6-8, 2026
