Ghana is taking a major step to unlock the commercial potential of one of its most valuable but underdeveloped agricultural commodities, with the launch of a new national platform aimed at strengthening the shea industry, improving market access and creating greater economic opportunities for thousands of women.
The National Shea Commodity Platform (NSCP), launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana in partnership with the Forestry Commission and the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), seeks to address long-standing bottlenecks that have prevented the sector from reaching its full economic potential.
The platform will operate under the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) and serve as a central coordination hub for stakeholders across the shea value chain, from women collectors and processors to exporters, policymakers, researchers and development partners.
The initiative comes at a time when global demand for shea butter and related products continues to expand, driven by growing use in the cosmetics, food processing, pharmaceutical and wellness industries.
Unlocking a US$118 Million Industry
Ghana produces between 130,000 and 150,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts annually, generating an estimated US$118 million in value. Despite its economic importance, the industry has struggled with fragmented coordination, inconsistent market information, limited investment and weak institutional collaboration.
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The new platform aims to change that by creating a structured mechanism for stakeholder engagement, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and investment coordination.
It is expected to reduce duplication across the industry, improve alignment of interventions and create a more efficient value chain capable of attracting greater domestic and international investment.
“As we launch the National Shea Commodity Platform, I urge all stakeholders, especially value chain actors, to embrace a spirit of collaboration and transparency. A stronger, more competitive shea sector depends on it,” said Joseph Gyapong of the Forestry Commission.
Bigger Opportunities for Women
Beyond improving industry coordination, the platform is expected to deliver significant benefits for women, who form the backbone of Ghana’s shea economy.
Across the Northern Savannah Zone, shea provides income for thousands of rural households and serves as an important economic safety net during difficult farming seasons.
The new platform is expected to improve market access, strengthen women’s participation in decision-making and create better opportunities across the value chain.
Speaking at the launch, Alhassan Fuseini, representing Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John, described the platform as an important tool for inclusive growth.
“The National Shea Commodity Platform will improve stakeholder coordination, support policy dialogue and advocacy, promote knowledge sharing, and advance women’s economic empowerment in the sector,” he said.
For Joana Naab, a shea picker from northern Ghana, the initiative offers renewed hope for rural women.
“For many women, shea is how we support our families and meet basic needs. We are excited about this platform because it brings actors together, creates more opportunities for women, and helps improve the sector. We believe it will give women a stronger voice and improve market opportunities for communities like ours,” she said.
Positioning Ghana for Global Markets
The Tree Crops Development Authority believes the platform will strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness as international demand for sustainably produced shea products accelerates.
Chief Executive Officer of TCDA, Dr. Andrew Osei Okrah, said the Authority is well positioned to host the platform and support the industry’s long-term development.
“The Tree Crops Development Authority is proud to host the National Shea Commodity Platform. We are confident that the platform will strengthen coordination across the sector, promote fair pricing systems, and enhance market access and export opportunities,” he said.
For UNDP Ghana, the platform aligns economic development with environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Forest Specialist at UNDP Ghana, Ayirebi Frimpong, said the initiative recognises shea as more than just an agricultural commodity.
“At UNDP, we see shea as a pathway to women’s economic empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable rural development. Through the National Shea Commodity Platform, we have an opportunity to unlock the sector’s full potential while strengthening livelihoods, protecting ecosystems, and positioning Ghana as a global leader in sustainable shea production,” she said.
More Than an Agricultural Commodity
Beyond its commercial value, the shea tree plays an important environmental role across northern Ghana.
The species contributes to biodiversity conservation, restores degraded landscapes, prevents soil erosion and strengthens climate resilience, placing the sector at the intersection of agriculture, environmental protection and rural development.
According to the Global Shea Alliance, stronger coordination is essential if Ghana is to fully benefit from rising international demand.
“Global demand for shea products continues to grow, yet many women and young people in the sector still face significant challenges,” said Aaron Adu, Managing Director of the Global Shea Alliance.
“The National Shea Commodity Platform will help address these challenges, strengthen coordination across the value chain, and unlock opportunities for women, youth, and the broader Ghanaian economy.”
Building a More Competitive Value Chain
For decades, the shea industry has supported rural livelihoods across northern Ghana. Yet its full economic potential has remained constrained by fragmented institutions, limited investment and weak market coordination.
The National Shea Commodity Platform seeks to change that by creating a common space for collaboration among government agencies, private sector operators, researchers, development partners and producer groups.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could help transform Ghana’s shea industry from a largely informal rural enterprise into a more coordinated, competitive and export-driven sector, one that delivers greater value to women producers while strengthening the country’s position in the rapidly expanding global shea market.
