His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco continued his commitment to biodiversity and women’s empowerment on Friday 26 September with a visit to two beekeeping schools run by the French Observatory of Apidology (OFA) in Rwanda’s Musanze region…
Accompanied by OFA founder Thierry Dufresne, the Sovereign visited the Foyer de Charité “Virginie des Pauvres” in Ruhondo and the One & Only Parc des Volcans, both training centres for vulnerable women. These schools teach modern apiculture techniques to help participants achieve financial independence through honey production while protecting a keystone species for global ecosystems.
The Prince spoke with trainees and instructors, praising their dedication and underscoring how the programme restores dignity and strengthens local communities. His visit culminated with the inauguration of a new apiary school in Ruhengeri, further expanding the reach of the OFA’s work in Rwanda.
Alongside training, the OFA has been conducting a research programme since 2022 on propolis harvested in the Nyungwe forest, revealing its antiseptic and antifungal properties and adding to a global propolis collection for medical and environmental study.
This stop forms part of a wider tour of Rwanda. HSH the Prince is also attending the UCI Cycling World Championships, supporting the launch of the Carlos Takamà Boxing Academy in Kigali, and is scheduled to meet President Paul Kagame on Saturday. His presence in the “land of a thousand hills” signals Monaco’s ongoing support for projects that link environmental stewardship with economic and social opportunity, especially for women in rural communities.
Images: Prince’s Palace IG
