Ghana’s efforts to reposition its shea sector on the global market are gaining momentum, with organisers confirming that the World Shea Expo will be hosted in Tamale in September 2026.
The event is expected to draw over 8,000 participants from around the world, including women-led cooperatives, processors, exporters, investors, policymakers, and development partners, all focused on unlocking greater value from one of West Africa’s most important natural resources.
This year’s theme, “From Local Commodity to Global Brand: Accelerating Women and Youth-Led Value Addition in Shea,” underscores a strategic shift toward processing and branding rather than exporting raw shea nuts. Organisers say this transition is key to boosting earnings and expanding opportunities for local actors, particularly women who dominate the early stages of production.
Despite Ghana’s strong position in the global shea trade—supplying major cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries—much of the high-value processing still occurs outside the country. Industry data shows that while exports exceed 70,000 metric tonnes, valued at over $112 million, the global shea market is worth more than $2 billion, highlighting significant untapped potential.
The Expo, organised by Savannah Golden Tree Limited in collaboration with government-backed initiatives such as the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, will also receive support from institutions including the Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Ghana Enterprises Agency.
Activities planned for the 2026 edition include exhibitions, technical sessions, business matchmaking, training workshops, field visits, and live demonstrations designed to strengthen connections across the shea value chain and attract investment into processing and manufacturing.
According to organisers, the Expo is intended to serve as more than an exhibition—it is expected to function as a policy and investment platform to accelerate industrial growth, improve access to technology and finance, and enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the global shea economy.
Speaking on the upcoming event, Peter Boamah Otokunor noted that Ghana is gradually shifting away from raw commodity exports toward a more industrialised agribusiness model that creates jobs and supports rural development.
He stressed that empowering women and young people to participate in higher-value segments of production is central to achieving inclusive growth and long-term sustainability in the sector.
The Expo is also expected to foster high-level dialogue among government agencies, financial institutions, and development partners on key issues such as industrialisation, trade expansion, and climate resilience within the shea industry.
With Tamale set to host the global gathering, stakeholders say the event could mark a turning point in Ghana’s ambition to build a stronger, more competitive, and locally driven shea value chain.
