By Nneka Ibe
President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts as part of measures to boost local processing and expand Nigeria’s participation in the global shea market.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who announced the directive on behalf of the president, said the decision was aimed at ensuring that Nigerian processors have sufficient access to raw materials and at reducing the country’s overreliance on exporting unprocessed produce.
He noted that Nigeria produces about 40 percent of the world’s shea output but earns less than one percent of the estimated $6.5 billion global market, largely because most of its produce is exported in raw form.
“The new policy is a pro-value addition measure that will encourage investment in local processing, create jobs for rural communities, and position Nigeria as a key supplier of refined shea butter and other derivatives,” Shettima said.
According to government figures, Nigeria currently has an installed processing capacity of about 160,000 metric tonnes, but local plants operate at only 35 to 50 percent due to inadequate raw materials, worsened by smuggling and informal cross-border trade.
The federal government is targeting at least $300 million in annual earnings from processed shea products in the short term, with a projection of tenfold growth by 2027. Negotiations are also ongoing with Brazil to expand market access for Nigerian refined shea butter.
The ban, which took effect immediately, will be reviewed after six months to assess its impact on the industry. Officials added that the policy also aligns Nigeria with other West African countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Togo, which have already restricted raw shea exports in favor of local value addition.
Shea processing is considered a vital source of livelihood for rural women, who account for more than 90 percent of shea nut picking and initial processing in Nigeria.
