Ghana is setting its sights on generating $640 million annually from shea nut production as part of an ambitious scale-up under the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
Currently, Ghana produces between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts each year, earning about $118 million. However, only 40% of available shea resources are recovered, leaving vast untapped potential across the savannah belt.
Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, believes this productivity gap can be bridged with targeted investments under the new economic strategy.
“In 2023, Ghana was ranked as the top global exporter of shea butter and currently producing an estimated capacity of between 130,000 to 150,000 metric tonnes of shea nut annually. This is valued at some $118 million,” Dr. Otokunor stated at the launch of the 2025 World Shea Expo.
“However, as we know, we are only able to recover 40% of these nuts. That means if we put in more effort to recover more of these nuts, we will be able to significantly double, multiply these gains that we get from the shea nuts.”
The government’s new plan targets an annual production boost to 400,000 metric tonnes, which Dr. Otokunor described as “not just a projection this is a practical possibility.”
Key interventions will include investments in modern processing infrastructure, mechanised harvesting systems, cold storage facilities, and all-season logistics to strengthen the shea value chain.
The 24-hour economy initiative aims to unlock round-the-clock productivity across priority sectors to drive exports, industrialisation, and job creation. The shea sector, with its growing global demand in cosmetics and food manufacturing, has been identified as a strategic pillar for rural economic transformation.
Dr. Otokunor underscored the government’s commitment, adding,“With the introduction of the 24-hour economy policy, we are setting a new national ambition. By investing in modern processing facilities, mechanized harvesting, cold storage and all season logistics, we are confident Ghana can increase the shea nut production to 400,000 metric tonnes annually valued at some $640 million.”
The expanded output is expected to improve rural livelihoods, increase foreign exchange earnings, and position Ghana as a global shea processing hub under its broader agricultural industrialisation agenda.
