The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has urged Nigeria and other African nations to enhance the quality of their shea exports, citing concerns that many of these commodities fail to meet the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for export. Despite the significant benefits associated with shea production, much of its potential remains untapped, the WTO noted. The organisation, established in 1995 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, emphasized the importance of exploring the entire shea value chain beyond farming and butter processing.
Speaking at the 2024 Shea Annual Conference organized by the Global Shea Alliance in Abuja, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of WTO, underscored the critical role of shea in the agricultural exports of several member countries, including Nigeria. However, she expressed concerns about the failure of many shea products to meet international standards, hindering export opportunities. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the need for African nations to venture into manufacturing finished shea products to maximize the sector’s potential.
The WTO has been actively involved in assisting Nigeria and other countries in improving the export quality of shea products to positively impact their economies. Okonjo-Iweala cited an example where the collaboration between WTO, International Trade Centre, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) enabled a shea cooperative in Oyo State to meet international safety and quality standards, facilitating exports to various countries. This initiative resulted in a significant increase in the incomes of women involved in shea production.
Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the transformative power of trade and its potential to elevate living standards, create jobs, and foster sustainable development. Shea butter, in particular, has been described as “women’s gold” and has the potential to significantly benefit women in West Africa. With over 16 million women engaged in shea farming and processing, shea presents substantial economic opportunities for women across the region.
Nonye Ayeni, the CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, highlighted Nigeria’s prominent position as one of the leading producers of shea globally. She emphasized the immense potential of shea to transform Nigeria’s economy through job creation, value addition, and women empowerment. Ayeni underscored the NEPC’s efforts to enhance shea production in Nigeria to meet international standards and capitalize on the growing global demand for shea products.
