Nigerian women face hardship following raw shea nut exports ban
The export ban has exposed the gap between policy ambitions and on-ground readiness.
NIGERIA – The recent sudden six-month ban imposed by the Nigerian government on the exportation of raw shea nuts, implemented in late August 2025, has severely impacted Nigerian women who depend on the shea nut trade for their livelihoods.
Although the policy was intended to boost local production of finished shea butter and thereby increase profits retained within Nigeria, it has had unintended consequences that have sparked hardship among the women involved in the early stages of the shea value chain.
The Nigerian Government thought that the ban would help generate rural income, create jobs, and empower women, who make up 90-95% of the shea nut pickers.
Women, who contribute nearly 40% of the world’s shea nut supply and dominate the processing and preparation of shea nuts in regions like Niger State, notably in towns such as Bida, have seen a sharp collapse in the prices of raw shea nuts due to the ban.
This price drop reflects reduced demand, as local processing facilities in Nigeria are insufficient to handle the entire domestic harvest volume.
Many women who previously earned enough to pay daily school fees and medical expenses now struggle to make half of their income or less, forcing entire households into poverty and threatening children’s education and well-being.
The ban also affects labourers and other participants in the shea supply chain, reducing wages and employment opportunities.
Despite the presence of a newly inaugurated processing factory with significant capacity, the overall local infrastructure cannot yet absorb the shea nut output that was previously exported.
The policy, while aiming to increase Nigeria’s share of the estimated USD 6.5 billion global shea industry revenue by shifting towards domestic value addition, is facing criticism for its abruptness and lack of prior consultation.
Observers note the policy has created a zero-sum scenario where primary producers primarily women are penalized to benefit processors and industrial stakeholders, raising concerns about short-term socioeconomic damage and investor confidence.
As a result, women in affected communities are appealing to the government to reconsider the ban or offer alternatives, fearing that sustained poverty may push their children into illegal activities.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
