Abstract:
Honeybees are native to Africa and Europe but have been spread worldwide as the basis for an
apicultural industry. To date, large and diverse wild populations only remain in Africa. On this continent
the beekeeping industry is relatively undeveloped and relies on trapping swarms from wild populations to
constitute the managed stocks. Bee breeding is seldom practiced. The situation is therefore different from
that of Europe or North America where wild or feral honeybees have almost disappeared and this distinction
is important when assessing the conservation status of African honeybees. While African honeybees appear
to be more resistant to major diseases, the history of honeybee populations worldwide suggests that their
conservation is a necessity. After analyzing the threats to which honeybees are exposed in Africa, we argue
that preventive conservation measures are required to maintain the present favorable situation and avoid the
declines in populations experienced elsewhere.