INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN SHEA VALUE CHAIN

The Shea butter tree (Vitellariaparadoxa and Vitellarianilotica) is a dicotyledonous woody plant. Nigeria is the leading producer of Shea nut in the West African region. The Nigerian Government through the shea value chain is seeking to increase annual production of shea nuts to 450,000mt in 2020 from estimated 300,000mt in 2014 and shea butter to 225,000mt in 2020 from estimated 150,000mt.

The Shea is largely found in the wild in 19 States. They are as follows:Niger, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Plateau, Kwara, Kogi, Adamawa, Benue, Edo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, Oyo and the FCT. The average yield is about 5kg annually/tree. 

INVESTMENT WINDOWS IN SHEA:

•Shea nut is a good source of foreign exchange when exported.

•Processed into baking fat, and used also as substitutes for cocoa butter in making chocolate and other confectioneries.

•Value addition is enhanced through the production of cosmetics, skincare products - moisturizing cream, anti-ageing treatments.

•The shea nut cake (SNC) left after the second pressing can also be burned to produce potash for soap making or for fertilizer.

•Used in pharmaceuticals

•It can serve in soil conservation and desertification control since it grows predominantly in the North, and has deep tap root system.

•Create a business-friendly environment for the investor