In a significant move to reclaim Nigeria’s position in the global shea market, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts. The measure, announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a multi-stakeholder meeting in Abuja, is designed to curb informal trade practices and protect local processors while positioning Nigeria for greater value addition in the shea industry.
The temporary export ban, which is subject to review after six months, is expected to generate up to $300 million in annual revenue and strengthen the domestic shea value chain.
“This is not an anti-trade policy but a pro-value addition policy,” stated Vice President Shettima. “The goal is to supply our factories with raw materials, run them at full capacity, and create jobs for our people. Nigeria produces nearly 40% of global shea, yet accounts for only 1% of the $6.5 billion market. That is unacceptable.”
The Vice President emphasized that the initiative would transform Nigeria into a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil, and derivatives, while driving industrialization, rural development, and gender empowerment. He revealed that the government has secured agreements with Brazil to fast-track market access for Nigerian shea products within three months.
“By 2027, we target a ten-fold increase in earnings,” Shettima added, highlighting the administration’s ambitious goals for the sector.Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari described the policy as long overdue, noting that despite Nigeria’s annual production of 350,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts across 30 states, with potential to reach 900,000 tonnes, the country’s processors currently operate at only 35-50% capacity due to inadequate raw material supply.
The ban is expected to ensure local processors have sufficient raw materials to maximize production capacity, create jobs, and increase Nigeria’s share of the global shea market value.
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