In brief
Grace Mbabazi, founder of Rwanda’s M&M Sozo Ltd., is preparing to exhibit her company’s honey at Shanghai’s ninth China International Import Expo. The export‑friendly policies and free exhibitor booths at the CIIE are expected to help M&M Sozo introduce its product to Chinese buyers, boost its supply chain and expand the firm’s presence in China. The company’s success will depend on how well it navigates competition and supply‑chain challenges, a question that remains open as the event approaches.
Rwandan honey producer M&M Sozo Ltd., headed by founder and CEO Grace Mbabazi, is preparing to showcase its natural‑processed honey at the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai from Nov. 5‑10, 2026, after having first participated in the event in 2024, according to a recent Xinhua report.
Earlier this year, Mbabazi described the first CIIE experience as a “valuable stepping stone” that allowed her company to meet Chinese buyers, importers and distributors, and to learn about market preferences that could shape future product launches.
Mbabazi said the expo’s free exhibition booths, “green channel” arrangements for exports from Rwanda, and other preferential measures are assets that help reduce marketing and 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,” she said.
China’s zero‑tariff policy for 53 African countries—one of the key enablers cited by Mbabazi—provides an attractive backdrop for Rwandan goods. The policy is designed to lower import duties, offering Rwandan exporters a smoother entry into the Chinese market.
The company’s strategy is underpinned by a substantial domestic beekeeping base. Data released in 2022 by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board show that the country has approximately 120,000 beekeepers spread across five major zones, including Akagera National Park and Kigali City.
According to the Xinhua report, Rwanda has taken part in all eight editions of the CIIE since the expo’s launch in 2018, positioning honey as one of the country’s flagship products. The government has even designated honey as its priority product under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ One Country One Priority Product initiative, further underscoring the sector’s potential.
M&M Sozo’s plans for the 2026 expo include expanding its beekeeping operations and refining its packaging to meet Chinese consumer preferences. Mbabazi noted that the increased exposure would allow the company to allocate more resources to product development and brand promotion, a move she feels will be critical in a highly competitive market.
Stakeholders watching this development are focusing on how well the combination of favourable trade policy, expo infrastructure and local industry capacity will translate into tangible sales and long‑term market presence for Rwandan honey.
While the expo offers a platform for brand building and partnership formation, the company’s future success will depend on its ability to navigate supply‑chain challenges, ensure consistent quality, and compete with established honey brands already active in China.
In summary, the 2026 CIIE presents a notable opportunity for M&M Sozo Ltd. to extend its reach into China’s vast consumer market, leveraging favourable trade agreements and in‑market exposure. However, the outcome of these initiatives remains to be determined as the company seeks to secure a foothold in a new and competitive landscape.
