Promoting a Sustainable Business Model for Women Shea Collectors in Nigeria

In the last 20 years, global demand for shea has increased by 600%, and industry experts forecast a further 50% increase within the next 5 years. To guarantee the sustainability of the shea industry in terms of meeting demand trends, stakeholders are increasingly looking at Nigeria as key to the supply chain. Although Nigeria represents 23% of the land available for shea in West Africa, its share of commercial production and exports is only 10%. To meet the sustainably sourced demands of industry and to realize Nigeria’s potential, AAK in partnership with Global Shea Alliance, the National Association of Shea Products in Nigeria and MEDA, adapts its Kolo Nafaso model, a direct sourcing model, for an organized supply network of quality shea in Nigeria.  The Kolo Nafaso model incentivises women shea kernel collectors by increasing shea-related incomes and building their capacity to engage in a global marketplace.