GSA, EOS, and Water for West Africa partner to empower women shea processors for sustainable livelihood
The collaboration aims to eliminate longstanding barriers in the shea industry while fostering inclusive growth and sustainability.
GHANA – The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), Evolution of Smooth (EOS), and Water for West Africa (WfWA) have formed a strategic partnership aimed at empowering women shea processors in Northern Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The collaboration focuses on enhancing access to clean water, improving infrastructure, and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities in the region.
This partnership is part of the Shea Investment and Jobs Creation Program (SHIP), a two-year initiative running from 2023 to 2025.
It is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)’s Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition.”
According to the organizers, the program aims to build the capacity of 12,000 women involved in shea kernel and butter processing by improving product quality, fostering the creation of decent jobs, and encouraging increased private sector investment in women-led cooperatives.
The collaboration aims to eliminate longstanding barriers in the shea industry while fostering inclusive growth and sustainability.
Wunmi Osholake, deputy managing director, Global Shea Alliance, stated, “This partnership is a demonstration of how global brands, NGOs and local actors can come together to build resilient, women-led economies.”
“It’s not just about productivity, it’s about dignity, sustainability and long-term change.”
This collaboration is driven by a shared goal to create a more inclusive and sustainable shea industry by empowering the women who form its foundation.
By leveraging the strengths of each partner, the initiative addresses key sector challenges and supports women in transforming their cooperatives and communities.
As part of the partnership, 150 women processors from the Bobobo Women’s Shea Butter Association Network in Ghana and Coopérative Clojo in Côte d’Ivoire will receive direct support through targeted initiatives aimed at boosting productivity, enhancing wellbeing, and promoting economic empowerment.
This phase of the program will equip women processors with modern equipment, business training, and clean water infrastructure to enhance production efficiency, strengthen livelihoods, and improve community health and hygiene.
Shea is one of Ghana’s top export commodities, with shea butter exports valued at USD 92.6 million (38,792 tonnes) in 2022, while shea kernels generated USD 20 million (36,162 tonnes) in 2021.
The global shea butter market is projected to reach USD 3.02 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.1%, according to the report published by The Business Research Company.
Shea butter is a staple in skincare, used for its anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties.
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