Meet Vital Voices Global Fellowship – VV Venture Fellow Pauline Achieng Otila

The Vital Voices Global Fellowship’s VV Venture Program and FedEx are proud to spotlight a few exceptional fellows. 

We’ll meet the second fellow in our three-part series this week. Their inspiring stories, notable achievements, and active engagement throughout the Fellowship truly embody the spirit of innovation and leadership.

She has grown Apiculture Venture into a one-stop beekeeping solutions provider, and one of the leading companies in the Kenyan beekeeping industry. 

Apiculture Venture focuses on the manufacture and supply of modern beehives, the supply of modern beekeeping equipment and accessories, apiary site survey, setup and management, honey and hive products harvesting and extraction, honey processing and packaging, pollination services, sustainable modern beekeeping consultancy, and training. Their natural raw and value-added products are available in the market under the brand Golden Bee Hive Products. Apiculture Venture has not only grown as a business but also made significant strides in social impact. Through their “Inspiring New Generation” initiative, they encourage youth to adopt agribusiness as an alternative career option. Their “Promoting Sustainable Modern Beekeeping for Improved Beekeeper’s Livelihood” initiative promotes sustainable beekeeping practices, especially in the marginalized Arid and Semi-Arid regions in Kenya. 

Through Apiculture Venture’s initiatives, Pauline addresses multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Their programs provide training, technical support, and guaranteed market access for small-scale beekeeping farmers, empowering them to transition from traditional to sustainable modern practices that maximize yield, minimize environmental harm, and improve livelihoods. In addition, Apiculture Venture promotes sustainable agriculture practices that reduce the use of harmful chemicals, supports biodiversity through bee conservation, and champions financial independence for women and youth in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions. Looking ahead, Pauline envisions expanding Apiculture Venture’s footprint across East Africa, enhancing food security, and creating new income generating opportunities for underserved populations through innovative beekeeping products. 

Pauline is a graduate of, and current mentor at, the U.S-led initiative, the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). She is a mentee of the 2022/23 UNFAO Accelerator Mentorship Programme for Women-led SMEs. She has also been recognized as The Most Inspirational Food Poverty Prevention Businesswoman 2024 (East Africa) by MEA Markets. Additionally, she participated in the 2023 NextGen TechCamp Nairobi organized by the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs (ECA) at the U.S. Department of State. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management Degree from Daystar University and a bachelor's degree in commerce. 

Throughout Pauline’s career, she has been honored with several notable recognitions. In 2022, she was awarded the USADF-Stanbic Foundation Grant of $50,000, enabling Apiculture Venture to expand its honey processing line and support more women and youth through its beekeeping programs. Pauline is also a 2023 finalist in the Top 50 African Business Heroes program, selected from over 27,000 applicants, and was among the top 25 global finalists in the WE Empower UN SDG Challenge, representing Sub-Saharan Africa as one of five incredible entrepreneurs advancing the SDGs. Following the successful implementation of the first grant, she has been awarded the USADF capacity building grant of $100,000. In addition, Pauline has collaborated with impactful organizations like E4Impact, Church World Service, and the Kenya Climate Innovation Center, where she has championed sustainable beekeeping practices and engaged communities in ASAL regions. She is a current member of the Buy Kenya Build Kenya Committee and the Apiculture Platform of Kenya, where she actively advocates for industry standards and sustainable practices.

In 2024, Pauline applied for the Vital Voices Global Fellowship Program and was competitively selected to join the program to deepen her expertise, connect with like-minded women leaders, and gain insights into global best practices in social entrepreneurship. Her decision to participate in the Vital Voices Global Fellowship program as a VV Venture Fellow stems from her dedication to fostering resilient, women-led communities capable of tackling the world’s most pressing issues, from climate change to economic inequality. Through this Fellowship, Pauline has gained mentorship in strategic planning, communication, and public leadership. She believes that learning from other entrepreneurs and changemakers will help her scale Apiculture Venture’s initiatives and develop impactful programs that address the unique challenges women in marginalized communities face. 

Pauline’s goal is to leverage the Vital Voices Global Fellowship as a platform for both personal and professional growth. By building skills in leadership and sector-specific knowledge, she intends to strengthen Apiculture Venture’s social impact, while also creating collaborative networks with other leaders who share a commitment to social progress and gender equality. As a VV Venture Fellow, Pauline plans to implement key learnings in her community to drive sustainable development, economic empowerment, and environmental conservation. Upon the end of the program, she will launch enhanced training programs targeting women and youth beekeepers and focusing on innovative, climate-resilient beekeeping practices and community-led conservation strategies. These programs aim to educate women and youth on modern beekeeping techniques that increase honey yields, reduce environmental degradation, and improve food security. Pauline also envisions expanding Apiculture Venture’s mentorship programs to connect budding entrepreneurs with established beekeepers, fostering a support network that encourages knowledge exchange and business growth. Additionally, she plans to enhance Apiculture Venture’s community engagement efforts, promoting cross-cultural and inter-religious harmony among participating communities in the Arid and semi-arid lands. Her vision includes creating lasting partnerships with local NGOs, private sector entities, and government bodies to sustain and expand her impact on a larger scale. 

Pauline’s dedication to empowering women, fostering entrepreneurship, and conserving the environment has made her an inspiring leader in her field. Through her participation in the Vital Voices Global Fellowship as a VV Venture Fellow, she aspires to refine her skills and strengthen her impact, advancing her mission to create sustainable livelihoods, promote environmental stewardship, and inspire future generations of socially responsible entrepreneurs. For the six years of operations, Apiculture Venture initiatives have directly impacted the lives of over 3,412 small-scale beekeeping farmer’s households.

More stories about the Vital Voices fellows