Gov’t to Ban Raw Shea Nut Exports by 2026 to Boost Local Processing and Jobs

The government has announced plans to introduce a phased ban on the export of raw shea nuts by 2026, as part of a broader agenda to promote value addition and strengthen Ghana’s agro-industrial economy.

The policy was disclosed by Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of Presidential Initiatives on Agriculture and Agribusiness, during the official launch of the 2025 World Shea Expo.

Dr. Otokunor explained that the decision is a deliberate step by the Mahama-led administration to transition Ghana from a raw material exporter to a value-added economy.

“By 2026, the government will implement a phased ban on raw shea nut exports. Ghana must move from being a raw material exporter to a nation of value-added exports,” he stated.

He emphasized that this policy will open up growth opportunities for local processors, enabling them to scale, improve competitiveness, and capture greater value in the global shea industry.

“This ban will allow local processors to expand, build capacity, and establish export-ready brands. The shea tree is a strategic natural resource, not firewood—it takes about twenty years to mature.”

To support this transition, the government has initiated the rehabilitation of the Buipe Shea Processing Factory, a once-vital industrial asset in northern Ghana that had fallen into disrepair.

When fully operational, the refurbished facility is expected to process up to 60 metric tonnes of shea nuts per year, with a potential to scale up to 180,000 metric tonnes under a 24-hour production model. The plant is also projected to generate between 300 to 1,000 direct jobs and over 10,000 indirect jobs, providing a significant boost to rural economies and women-led cooperatives across the northern belt.

The announcement comes ahead of the 2025 World Shea Expo, which will convene stakeholders across the industry to explore investment opportunities, sustainability practices, and innovations in Ghana’s growing shea sector.