All plans are on top gear by the federal government to tackle challenges faced by Shea industry in Nigeria such as indiscriminate felling of Shea trees, lack of standard Shea processing facilities and lack of awareness on best practices.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite who gave the assurance at the ongoing annual conference of the Global Shea Alliance (GSA): Shea 2024 organised by National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) in Abuja, with theme” Bridging the Gap”, further said relevant government agencies are making concerted efforts to maximize the potentials of the Shea sector in Nigeria thereby increasing export volume and global supply of Shea products.
She said the theme of this edition is highly germane to the country’s current economic experience and there is need to strengthen knowledge and practices that can systematically identify the gaps in implementation and promote interactions between policy-makers and the implementation agencies who can influence the uptake of policies and transform them into actions.
The minister who was represented by the Director Industrial Inspectoriate Department of the Ministry , Mrs Aniete Umuessien assured both the local and international business communities that this administration will continue to provide a more secured business environment and commit more to these ideals in the interest of the economic development of Nigeria.
In her words: ” We will also continue to provide physical infrastructures for existing investments to thrive and make every part of the country attractive to new investors”.
In a virtual message, the Director General of World Trade Organization, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala, also promised the Organization’s support to manufacturing of Shea products in Nigeria to enable women who are the major players in the sector benefit from WTO loan facilities.
Dr. Okonjo – Iweala who commended the efforts of the Global Shea Alliance for empowering millions of women in Africa while also ensuring the protection of the shea ecosystem, said over sixteen million women in West Africa makes a living through farming and processing of shea nuts and women make 237 million dollars as direct income from shea.
Also, the Emir of Keffi Kingdom, Nasarawa state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa, III expressed concern that the local causes and consequences of felling shea trees can reverberate internationally: market projections predict continued growth in exports of shea nuts and butter to Europe and North America, with new markets developing in East Asia over the next 5 years.
He said the global demand for shea butter is driven by shea butter’s value as an edible fat that can be used in chocolate, as well as in skin, hair, and other personal care products.
According to him, with most butter-making in Africa’s savanna belt taking place informally outside of record-keeping, reliable production data are scarce. Clearly, though, imperiled conditions for shea trees jeopardize global supply.
He called for the protection of shea trees and enhancing the income generating potential of rural African women need to be heard.
Also, the Executive Director/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni explained that a cursory look at the global value of shea production and export disclosed that in the year 2023, the production and value of shea along the value chain was $2.17 billion while it is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.1% by 2030, representing the sum of $5.8 billion.
She said presently, more countries like India, Japan and South Korea are approving the use of Sheabutter as Cocoa butter equivalent, apart from China, Italy and Netherlands, that are among the leading importers of Sheabutter, there is therefore ready market for quality Sheabutter in the international market.
“It is on record that the country has about 5 million hectares of shea trees which are grown in about 21 states of the federation especially in Niger, Kebbi, Oyo, Kwara, Benue and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) respectively.
“The opportunities for Shea to transform Nigeria’s economy includes in the area of Job creation, Value Addition and Women Empowerment.
“It is worthy to mention that in 2016 the Council partnered with the World Trade Organization and Standards and Trade Development Facility to execute project 172 which was a game changer in the Nigeria Shea sector.
” The Project succeeded in establishing an effective free fatty acid (FFA) and impurities control system for Shea butter and establishment of 4 Shea butter model Processing Centers in Niger, Kebbi, Oyo and Kwara States.
