Ghana is positioning the World Shea Expo 2026 as a strategic platform to strengthen its competitiveness in the global shea market, with government and industry leaders pushing for increased local processing, stronger export standards and wider international market access as competition intensifies among major African producers.
The resolutions outlined during the launch of the expo in Wa centred on expanding value addition within Ghana’s shea industry, reducing dependence on raw shea nut exports and building globally competitive Made-in-Ghana shea products capable of attracting more international buyers and long-term trade partnerships.
Board Chairman of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, stressed the need to protect the shea value chain through “local processing” and “sustainable policies,” arguing that Ghana must move beyond exporting raw commodities if it intends to secure a stronger position within the international shea trade.
He noted that improving processing capacity and strengthening value retention within the country would support efforts to increase non-traditional export earnings while creating broader industrial opportunities across northern Ghana.
The initiative comes at a time when West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, continue to compete aggressively for dominance in the global shea market, particularly in the supply of shea butter to international cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing industries.
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Government officials at the launch indicated that the World Shea Expo 2026 would serve not only as a trade exhibition but also as a platform to deepen engagement with international investors, buyers and development partners seeking reliable sourcing destinations within Africa’s shea industry.
Upper West Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing reaffirmed the region’s readiness to host the global gathering, describing the shea sector as a crucial economic pillar that supports livelihoods across northern Ghana, particularly among women involved in harvesting and processing activities.
He stated that the region remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at expanding processing activities and enhancing market access for local producers as Ghana works towards establishing a more competitive, export-oriented shea industry.
Speaking on the government’s broader agribusiness transformation agenda, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness at the Presidency highlighted interventions focused on “strengthening processing capacity” and promoting “local value addition” as part of efforts to reduce the continued export of raw shea nuts.
The strategy forms part of wider national efforts to build industrial capacity around agricultural commodities while increasing Ghana’s share of higher-value processed exports within global markets.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of GEPA, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Administration and Operations, Mr. Ambrose Edwin Nsarkoh, stressed the Authority’s focus on supporting exporters through “strategic partnerships” and export development initiatives aimed at building globally competitive Ghanaian brands.
Industry stakeholders believe the success of the World Shea Expo 2026 could help position Ghana more strongly within the international shea value chain, particularly as global demand for ethically sourced and sustainably processed shea products continues to rise.
The expo is expected to attract international buyers, exporters, policymakers and investors while showcasing Ghana’s processing capabilities, export potential and long-term ambitions within the global shea industry.
