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To meet increased demand for shea, MEDA in partnership with AAK, Global Shea Alliance, and the National Association of Shea Products in Nigeria (NASPAN) used a direct sourcing model to organize supply networks of quality shea across Nigeria. Through this project, MEDA and its partners supported the sustainable sourcing of shea and satisfied industry demands.
Nigeria Shea is promoting a sustainable business model for women shea collectors in Nigeria.
To develop a sustainable market for shea in Nigeria by supporting commercially oriented partnerships. These partnerships supported women shea collectors to increase their annual income through improved market linkages. The partnerships also increased their capacity to deliver quality shea kernels and benefit from pre-financing and fairer engagement in the shea value chain.
The project supported 30,000 women shea collectors in Nigeria to increase their annual income through market connections while expanding their capacity to deliver quality shea kernels.
In the last 20 years, global demand for shea has increased by 600%, and industry experts forecast a further 50% increase within the next 5 years. To ensure that the shea industry can meet demand, stakeholders are increasingly looking at Nigeria as a key actor in the supply chain.
Although Nigeria holds 23% of the land available for shea in West Africa, its share of commercial production and exports is only 10%. To meet the sustainably sourced demands of the shea industry, MEDA in partnership with AAK, Global Shea Alliance, and the National Association of Shea Products in Nigeria used a direct sourcing model to organize supply networks of quality shea across Nigeria.
Beginning in Oyo State, MEDA implemented AAK’s direct sourcing model to create an organized network of women shea collectors in Nigeria. This model incentivized women shea kernel collectors by increasing their incomes and strengthening their capacity to engage in a global marketplace.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.
MEDA International is a Canadian non-share capital not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
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