Ghana’s shea industry is set for a major revival, as the government announces a €4 million investment aimed at resuscitating PBC Shea Limited and unlocking massive job opportunities across rural communities, particularly for women.
Speaking at the inauguration of the reconstituted board of PBC Shea Limited on Tuesday, Minister for Food and Agriculture, Eric Opoku, said the fund—secured through a soon-to-be-signed agreement with the African Development Bank—will be used to build capacity, increase nut production, and establish stronger market linkages for local farmers.
“We’re committing four million euros to support shea producers this year. Our goal is to rebuild capacity, drive production and give our women the support they need to thrive,” Mr. Opoku said.
He emphasized that the sector, dominated by more than 600,000 women engaged in the harvesting, processing, and sale of shea nuts and butter, has the potential to become a cornerstone of Ghana’s rural economy.
At the heart of the plan is the transformation of the collapsed PBC Shea Company into a modern agro-industrial giant, capable of delivering over 30,000 direct and indirect jobs, most of which will benefit rural women and youth.
“We must work together to build a reliable value chain that offers farmers financial certainty and boosts exports,” the Minister said, stressing that Ghana earned $92.6 million from shea butter exports in 2022, but has the capacity to exceed $500 million annually.
Reverend Fant Lambon Aaron, newly sworn-in Board Chairman of PBC Shea Limited, pledged to steer the company toward becoming a beacon of agro-processing excellence.
“Our vision is clear: to make PBC Shea Limited a leading force in shea processing and job creation, while empowering women and young people in rural Ghana. This fits squarely within the government’s 24-hour economy agenda,” he said.
Reverend Aaron also vowed to transform the company into a competitive player on the global market, where demand for shea products is projected to surge to $5.58 billion by 2033.
While Mr. Opoku expressed confidence in the board’s capacity, he issued a stern reminder on governance, urging a collaborative but non-intrusive relationship between board and management.
“This board is key to fulfilling the President’s pledge to revive PBC Shea. You have his full confidence, and you cannot fail him,” he said.
With the global demand for premium shea products rising, Ghana’s renewed focus on revitalising the sector is seen as a strategic step toward rural industrialisation, foreign exchange growth, and inclusive economic development.
