In a strategic move to reposition Ghana’s shea industry on the global stage, the country will host the World Shea Expo 2025 from September 2 to 4, 2025 at the Modern City Hotel in Tamale.
The high-profile event, organised by Savannah Golden Tree Ltd. in collaboration with key national agencies including the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness (PIAA), Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), and Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), is expected to draw over 8,000 participants from around the world, including shea producers, buyers, investors, policymakers, and development partners.
Themed “Empowering Women and Youth-Led SMEs: The Role of Government and Financial Institutions”, the Expo aims to promote sustainable trade, policy alignment, and innovation in a sector that supports over one million women across Northern Ghana.
It places a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the shea value chain; women and youth. Despite forming the backbone of the industry, these groups capture only a fraction of its $2 billion global value, largely due to the export of unprocessed shea nuts.
President John Dramani Mahama will officially open the event and deliver a keynote address that reinforces government’s commitment to transforming the shea industry into a pillar of inclusive economic growth. The President is expected to link the Expo to his broader 24-hour economy agenda, which aims to boost productivity and industrialisation across sectors.
“The government of Ghana remains fully committed to the growth and transformation of the shea industry,” said Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of PIAA. “We are positioning shea as a key pillar of our agricultural and industrial agenda by investing in value addition and empowering local actors, especially women and youth.”
Tamale’s selection as host city reflects both symbolism and strategy. As the heartland of Ghana’s shea belt, the Northern Region is home to vast shea tree populations and countless women-led cooperatives. Bringing the world to Tamale sends a powerful message that economic development must be inclusive and rooted in local communities.
Programme Highlights:
- Day 1: Presidential opening, Shea Trade Fair, Women in Shea Panel
- Day 2: Investors Forum, Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop, Sustainability Showcase
- Day 3: High-level Policy Dialogue, Awards Ceremony, and Field Visits
The Expo is expected to catalyse over 150 business partnerships, provide capacity building for 200+ SMEs, and generate actionable policy outcomes to accelerate sector growth.
Currently, Ghana exports more than 70,000 tonnes of shea annually, generating $112.6 million in revenue, yet most of this leaves the country in raw form. Through initiatives like the revitalisation of the Buipe Shea Factory, the government aims to change this narrative by promoting domestic processing and global branding.
As the shea industry gains momentum, the World Shea Expo 2025 serves as a timely platform to build partnerships, share innovations, and chart a new course for a sector that holds immense economic, social, and environmental promise.
To register for the Expo, visit: www.worldsheaexpo.com
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
