11th May 2026
Ghana and Nigeria have initiated targeted bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation across the shea value chain, leveraging the platform of the 18th Annual Global Shea Alliance Conference 2026 held in Accra.
The high-level engagement brought together key government officials and industry stakeholders from both countries to explore opportunities in financing, industrial processing, and cross-border trade. Central to the discussions was the need to enhance value addition, expand market access, and unlock investment across the shea sector, with particular emphasis on improving livelihoods for rural women who play a critical role in production.
On the Nigerian side, John Owan Enoh highlighted the country’s significant contribution to global shea nut supply and ongoing efforts to increase domestic value capture. Policy measures such as restrictions on raw shea nut exports were noted as steps toward boosting local processing capacity and attracting investment into downstream activities.
Ghana, for its part, underscored the importance of transitioning from raw commodity exports to processed shea products to maximise economic benefits. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang emphasised the sector’s role in supporting livelihoods, particularly among women in northern communities.
The conference, held under the theme “Beyond Borders,” convened participants from over 40 countries, including policymakers, investors, and development partners, to address longstanding structural challenges within Africa’s shea industry.
Overall, the bilateral talks reflect a broader regional push to deepen industrialisation, strengthen intra-African trade, and reduce reliance on raw commodity exports in line with evolving economic integration priorities.