Ghana Ready to Lead Global Shea Market – Dr. Otokunor

Director of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, said Ghana is poised to become a leading force in the global shea industry through strategic investments, value addition, and targeted support for women- and youth-led enterprises.

Speaking at the grand opening of the World Shea Expo 2026 in Tamale on Tuesday, Dr. Otokunor said Ghana possesses the resources, expertise, and entrepreneurial drive needed to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing global shea market.

“This year we are not just showcasing products and innovation; we are showcasing potential, demonstrating that Ghana is ready to lead,” he stated.

The three-day Expo, held under the theme “From Local Commodity to Global Brand: Accelerating Women and Youth-led Value Addition in Shea,” has brought together investors, exporters, development partners, women cooperatives, traditional leaders, policymakers and international buyers to explore opportunities within Ghana’s shea value chain.

Dr. Otokunor noted that more than one million women and young people are engaged across the shea value chain, from harvesting and processing to product development and marketing, making the sector one of Ghana’s most important sources of livelihoods and economic empowerment.

However, he observed that many actors in the industry continue to face challenges, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, weak market systems, and insufficient policy support.

“Women and youth are not mere bystanders in the shea industry, but rather its backbone,” he emphasized.

According to him, Ghana currently produces between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts annually, while the global shea market is projected to exceed $3 billion by 2030.

“The global market for shea is projected to exceed $3 billion by 2030, and Ghana has the capacity, the expertise, and the entrepreneurial energy to capture a far greater share; if we act urgently, we act together and decisively,” he said.

As part of efforts to transform the sector, Dr. Otokunor highlighted government and private sector investments, including the revival of the Buipe Shea Processing Factory and the establishment of the John Mahama Shea Demonstration Farm in Futa, Tamale South. The demonstration farm is expected to promote research, innovation, and commercial cultivation of improved shea varieties capable of maturing within three years.

The PIAA Director also announced the distribution of over 20,000 sets of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to women shea collectors and cooperatives across the five northern regions to improve safety and productivity in the sector. He called on stakeholders to work together to position Ghana as a global shea powerhouse while ensuring that women, youth and local communities share the benefits of growth.

“Let’s tell the Ghanaian story, the story of resilience, hard work and the fortitude of our women, the story of our women and the shea plant. Let’s tell it loudly, proudly, and consistently,” Dr. Otokunor urged.

The World Shea Expo 2026 is expected to attract more than 7,000 participants and facilitate business linkages, policy dialogues, training sessions, and export opportunities worth nearly $10 million, further strengthening Ghana’s position within the global shea economy.