Why Nigeria Is Not Harnessing Benefits Of Shea Trade— Okonjo-Iweala

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, (WTO) Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has charged Nigeria and other African countries to improve the quality of their shea exports.

Nigeria is one of the major producers of shea in the world with about five 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

Okonjo-Iweala said the product is below the sanitary and phytosanitary standards required for export despite the clear benefits and advantages of the production of shea.

She said, “At the WTO, shea is one of the main agricultural exports of over eight of our members including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Togo. In Ghana alone, shea butter exports were valued at over $92m in 2022, and over one million women are involved in this sector.

“However, despite the clear benefits and advantages that shea brings to our women, much of the potential of this sector is still untapped. A lot of our shea products do not meet the sanitary and phytosanitary measures required for export, and this is hindering many countries from being able to export.

“In addition, it is crucial that we look at the shea value chain beyond farming and processing for butter. How can we in Africa begin to manufacture more finished shea products?”

Okonjo-Iweala stated that her organisation had been assisting Nigerians and other countries to improve the export of shea products, as this would impact positively on the economy of the concerned nations.