Goodluck Kapinga, a visionary entrepreneur from Tanzania, is redefining the beekeeping industry in East Africa. A passionate business leader, Goodluck’s journey began with a childhood shaped by hard work and ambition.
Growing up in a middle-class family, his father was a truck driver, and his mother a poultry farmer. His parents worked tirelessly to ensure that Goodluck received a quality education, which led him to Taifa Foundation Secondary School, where he studied the sciences—Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Later, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Psychiatry, but his heart was always drawn toward entrepreneurship.
From the age of 20, Goodluck’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited. After years of exploring different business ventures, he discovered a passion that would change his life and the lives of many others: beekeeping.
A Vision Born from the Streets of Tanzania
In 2012, Goodluck had an eye-opening experience that would set him on a path toward the beekeeping industry. While shopping at a local supermarket, he noticed a stark contrast in the honey products on display. Imported honey was well-packaged, beautifully labeled, and visually appealing, while honey from a local beekeeper, sold on the streets in crude, unfiltered packaging, seemed to lack professionalism and quality. This discrepancy between the two products stayed with him, but he had no immediate answers.
It wasn’t until November 2019, while brainstorming for his next business venture, that Goodluck recalled the vision from 2012. Determined to create a quality product that matched international standards, he began exploring the world of beekeeping. His research led him to an eye-opening realization: while Tanzania produces some of the best honey in Africa, the quality was often compromised during harvesting and processing due to traditional and outdated beekeeping methods.
“I came to realize that in Tanzania, we have very good-quality honey, but we distort the quality during harvesting and processing because many beekeepers use traditional methods with no proper tools or knowledge on how to maintain the same quality from the bees,” he admits.
This insight ignited a new mission—one to modernize beekeeping practices and empower small-scale local beekeepers.
Despite having a background in nursing, Goodluck’s passion for business never waned. He balanced his studies, internships, and business ventures until he finally decided to commit full-time to Dream Bees Africa Limited. His transition from healthcare to beekeeping has been nothing short of transformative, demonstrating that passion can fuel incredible career shifts.
“In 2019, when I started Dream Bees Africa, I was still in university. My passion for bees grew even stronger, but I managed to finish my studies, complete a one-year internship at Mawenzi Referral Hospital in Moshi, Kilimanjaro, and then fully commit to Dream Bees Africa as my only full-time job,” he says.
Dream Bees Africa: Empowering Small-Scale Beekeepers
Dream Bees Africa was born from Goodluck’s vision to elevate the honey industry in Tanzania. The company’s mission is simple yet impactful: to provide modern beekeeping techniques, equipment, and training to smallholder farmers while ensuring the highest quality honey production.
In 2020, Goodluck started with just 20 beehives on his farm, implementing modern beekeeping practices. The first harvest surprised everyone, with honey that had a magical, sweet taste and unmatched quality. Encouraged by this success, Goodluck expanded his efforts to train other beekeepers in modern techniques, supply them with advanced beekeeping equipment, and offer fair prices for their honey.
“The first harvest was a shock to everyone. The honey had a magical, sweet taste and exceptional quality. Then, we had to go back to beekeepers and train them on modern beekeeping, supply them with modern beehives and equipment, and, finally, purchase their produce at a fair price,” Goodluck recalls.
Challenges, Growth, and Expansion
Starting a business in the agricultural sector is never easy, and Goodluck faced several challenges, particularly around maintaining honey quality and educating local beekeepers. The initial capital for Dream Bees Africa amounted to USD 10,000, with 80% from personal savings and 20% from a loan. Today, Dream Bees Africa generates an annual revenue of around USD 350,000 and is poised for further expansion.
“Currently, we generate around USD 350k in annual revenue, and as we expand our operations, we are looking for ideal investors or firms to join us in this exciting beekeeping journey,” Goodluck revealed.
Beekeeping’s Role in Community Development
Goodluck’s venture has far-reaching benefits for both the environment and his local community. Beekeeping plays an essential role in agricultural pollination, and Dream Bees Africa’s sustainable practices contribute to preserving biodiversity. The company also creates educational opportunities, empowering local beekeepers with modern techniques that lead to improved livelihoods.
For Goodluck, one of the most rewarding aspects of beekeeping is seeing the tangible difference in local farmers’ lives. “Seeing someone who was once harvesting 100kg of honey annually now harvest 500kg after successfully transitioning to modern beekeeping is the greatest reward,” he says.
Marketing, Sales, and Sustainability
Dream Bees Africa has successfully marketed its honey through various channels, including business exhibitions, social media, and collaborations with marketing agencies. The company sells its products to supermarkets, hotels, pharmacies, and local markets, generating revenue from honey, beeswax, and beekeeping equipment.
Goodluck ensures sustainability by prioritizing natural and organic methods in his beekeeping practices. His commitment to biodiversity, pest control, and responsible harvesting guarantees that his bees remain healthy and productive while preserving the ecosystem.
“We prioritize using natural and organic methods to maintain hive health and avoid harmful chemicals. We focus on biodiversity by planting pollinator-friendly plants and maintaining a clean, pesticide-free environment.”
Tanzania is the second-largest honey producer in Africa, producing an impressive 30,400 tonnes of honey annually. The government’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan aims to boost production to 60,000 tonnes by 2025, providing opportunities for businesses like Dream Bees Africa to meet the rising demand. With plans to expand beyond Tanzania’s borders, Goodluck aims to introduce Tanzanian honey and bee products like beeswax and pollen to international markets.
The Future of Dream Bees Africa
Looking ahead, Goodluck has ambitious plans for Dream Bees Africa. He envisions expanding the company’s footprint, not only by growing its product line and expanding into international markets but also by continuing to empower thousands of local beekeepers. “Our goal is to build a sustainable beekeeping industry in Tanzania and across Africa, while ensuring the prosperity of our farmers,” says Goodluck.
Despite the challenges of building a business in a traditionally underdeveloped sector, Goodluck Kapinga has remained steadfast in his mission. Dream Bees Africa is not only a success story of entrepreneurial spirit but also a testament to the power of innovation and sustainable practices in transforming communities. Goodluck’s journey from a young man with big dreams to the CEO of an expanding beekeeping business is a powerful example of how passion, perseverance, and purpose can create a lasting impact.
As Dream Bees Africa continues to grow, Goodluck’s legacy will be defined by his commitment to improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and fostering sustainable agriculture for generations to come.