1 | P a g e

REPORT ON SHEA SECTOR DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

HELD AT NICON LUXURY HOTEL, FCT, ABUJA FROM 14TH -

15TH OCTOBER 2015.

Theme:

Shea Sector Development in Nigeria - Challenges, Gains

& Prospects

20th October 2015

2 | P a g e

Contents 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................ 3

2.0 WORKSHOP DETAILS .............................................................................................. 4

2.1 OPENING CEREMONY ....................................................................................... 4

2.2 PLENARY SESSION ............................................................................................... 4

2.3 WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS DAY 1 ............................................................... 4

2.4 WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS DAY 2 ............................................................... 5

3.0 DEMOGRAPHY OF PARTICIPANTS ...................................................................... 7

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................ 8

5.0 ACTION PLAN ........................................................................................................ 10

Appendix 1: Photo Speak............................................................................................. 12

Appendix 2: Speakers Profile ...................................................................................... 14

Appendix 3: Papers presented ...................................................................................... 14

Appendix 4: Feedback from participants ..................................................................... 15

3 | P a g e

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Shea Origin, in collaboration with the National Shea Products Association of

Nigeria (NASPAN) and with support from the USAID Nigeria Expanded Trade

and Transport (NEXTT) Program organized a 2-day Shea sector

development conference with the theme “Shea Sector Development in

Nigeria - Challenges, Gains & Prospects”

The event was aimed at addressing the challenges, gains and prospects for

the industry, with particular focus on women empowerment and

investments in processing centers at the village level to produce export-

quality Shea butter. Participants were also educated on quality standards

for international markets, advances in Shea cultivation, access to finance,

market linkages and opportunities for investments.

In attendance were representatives from NGOs, women cooperatives,

private sector firms, and government entities.

Participants were communicated via official letters and email

correspondences. Follow-up was made through calls and actual visits to

the organisations. Registration was also done online at

www.Sheaorigin.com/conference. Awareness was also created on social

media.

Some of the organisations made presentations on PowerPoint slides while

some just talked about the subject matter.

The event was closely monitored by the planning committee to ensure that

it was well delivered and feedback from participants confirmed that the

event was well done. Shea products were on sale and exhibition

throughout the two days thereby serving as a marketing platform as well as

opportunity for networking. Participants were encouraged to join NASPAN

to enjoy the benefits that it offers to its members.

4 | P a g e

Did the event achieve its aim? I would say to a large extent. The post

conference action plans will further ensure that pending expectations are

met.

2.0 WORKSHOP DETAILS

2.1 OPENING CEREMONY

The event started with an opening speech by the CEO Shea Origin, Mrs

Mobola Sagoe. After this, goodwill messages were delivered both by the

representative of the USAID Nigeria mission director and the Executive

Director, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) respectively. The

workshop was officially declared open by the wife of the Vice President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs Dolapo Osibajo.

2.2 PLENARY SESSION

During the first plenary session, an overview of the Shea sector

development in Nigeria was given by the 2nd Vice President of Nigeria Shea

Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN), while Marc Shirman, Chief of

Party for the Nigeria Expanded Trade & Transport (NEXTT) project gave an

overview of the USAID’s effort in providing support and opening up

opportunities in the Shea sector.

2.3 WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS DAY 1

Papers were presented by the following organisations with Q&A following.

1. Prospects of Shea tree domestication delivered by the Nigeria

Institute for Oil palm research (NIFOR)

2. Quality Standards for Shea kernels and butter, Standardization and

Certification for International Markets delivered by Standards

Organization of Nigeria (SON)

5 | P a g e

3. The role of government in the development of the Shea sector in

Nigeria delivered by Federal Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry

4. Standard Requirements for Export Financing delivered by Bank of

Industry

5. Wealth creation through Shea processing delivered by Nigeria

Investment Promotion Council

An overview was given on the Project Development Fund (PDF), an

intervention provided by the USAID NEXTT project to support private sector

participation in the Shea sector. The PDF provides grants for beneficiaries as

pre-investment assistance to help agro based businesses to expand. These

include the development of business plans, feasibility studies, Environmental

Impact Assessment (EIA) etc. Currently a country-wide Shea sector study is

being conducted and part of the output will result in a manual that will

serve as a guide for sector participants.

Note: See appendix 1 for papers presented

2.4 WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS DAY 2

Day 2 started on a very exciting note with a practical and expert-led

session sponsored by Propcom Maikarfi. The session was on how to make

money in the Shea cosmetics value chain, cost structure and profitability

assessment in determining a tangible action plan. This was facilitated by Ms

Francesca Brenda Opoku, a Social Entrepreneur and Chief Executive

Officer of Solution Oasis Ltd; a Ghanaian agro processing company that

manufactures the BEAUTY SECRETS and KIPENZI ranges of natural beauty

products from Shea Butter and Agricultural waste.

6 | P a g e

The session lasted for 3 hours and it was highly interactive and engaging.

During the session, participants were divided into focus groups representing

processors, exporters, Shea cosmetic producers/vendors, trainers, regulators

and new entrants.

Participants were involved in discussing the needs and the solutions to

pressing issues that have hindered the prosperity of the sector from different

perspectives. The key issues discussed were quality of Shea butter itself,

branding & packaging, certification, training and institutional support. An

action plan was articulated as an outcome of this session and this is

presented later in this report.

After the general session, three concurrent small group break-out sessions

followed. Participants had earlier indicated the groups they would like to

attend based on their interest. The following topics were covered:

Room 1/Group 1:

Export Procedures & Logistics by NEPC and Export financing by NEXIM

Room 2/Group 2:

Supply chain management (Moving Shea from field to market) by Mr

Williamson of OYSADEP (Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme)

and Accessing microcredit for the local market by Titi Ojo (SME consultant)

Room 3/Group 3:

Product formulation and certification by NAFDAC and Branding &

Packaging guidelines & procedures for local & export markets by NEPC

7 | P a g e

3.0 DEMOGRAPHY OF PARTICIPANTS

This session presents an analysis of participation in term of gender and

sector representation

GENDER REPRESENTATION

SECTOR REPRESENTATION

86, 49%

88, 51%

Male

Female

Male – 86

Female – 88

Total number of

participants - 174

8 | P a g e

4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

COMMENDATIONS

We would like to commend everyone that played a role in the planning of

this event namely Shea Origin, USAID NEXTT, Mahogany Events (event

coordination), BOI (sponsor), PropCom MaiKarfi (sponsor), Nigeria Export

Promotion Council (sponsor), PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc and Mrs Titi Ojo

(consultant)

The team work is highly commendable and deeply appreciated.

FEEDBACK FROM PARICIPANTS

Some of the participants were interviewed to get feedback on how they

felt about the Shea conference and what they look forward to

subsequently. See appendix 3

RECOMMENDATIONS

142, 82%

8, 4% 24, 14%

Private Sector NGO Govt

Private sector – 142

NGO – 24

Government - 8

9 | P a g e

There is need to hold this event periodically to foster discussions that will

move to sector forward. This forum will serve as a platform to add value,

enlighten on developments, evaluate performance and hold ourselves

accountable to what we have committed to do.

10 | P a g e

5.0 ACTION PLAN

During the sessions, the following were highlighted as areas that needed

action and follow-up.

Focus area Action Plan

NASPAN The new NASPAN was challenged by all present to organise

itself better than the past regimes and surpass expectations to

gain the trust of members (potential and existing)

NASPAN should carry along its members now more than ever.

The need to find effective ways to disseminate information

among its members is critical. Members want to get value from

their registration with the association.

NASPAN should protect the women processors especially and

empower them through quality improvement trainings and any

other trainings that will add value to the business. If possible

help with the standardization of pricing so that no one is being

cheated. It Is important that quality is ensured across board as

it will make Shea competitive in all locations

PRODUCT

PACKAGING

Poor packaging needs to be addressed urgently as people

are not aware of how and where to source good packaging.

A forum needs to be created by NASPAN where members can

get regular updates on such information.

Mrs Mobola Sagoe of Shea Origin and 2nd Vice President of

NASPAN, provided the address of two packaging companies

in Lagos for participants to explore

NASPAN should facilitate packaging logistics among interested

members as a group for better access.

BRAND

AMBASSADOR

There is the need to project the image of Shea from how it is

currently perceived in some quarters as local. In the words of

Mrs Biola “we need to make Shea Funky” to enhance its

appeal and patronage. It was suggested that a brand

11 | P a g e

ambassador who uses Shea products and has a story to tell

should be engaged for this purpose.

CAPACITY BUILDING

NASPAN to do an audit of quality and provide the necessary

trainings to bridge the gaps

QUALITY TESTING LAB The house was informed by Mr Williams Ezeagu of NEPC that

there is an on-going effort by UNIDO to facilitate the setup and

certification of some laboratories in the country to conduct

quality tests on Shea products and the certification will be

acceptable worldwide. NASPAN should follow up with this and

position their members to benefit from the initiative.

CERTIFICATION The need to facilitate a common facility centre for product

formulators and processors to reduce the cost of NAFDAC

certification was emphasized. Is there anything NASPAN can

do in this area?

MEMBERSHIP NASPAN to follow up on participants that have indicated

interest in join the association immediately.

USAID NEXTT PDF The PDF (Project Development Facility) is a pre-investment

assistance provided to help agro based businesses to expand

and it includes development of Business plans, Feasibility

studies, Environmental Impact Assessment etc

Interested members of NASPAN should apply for it. Better still

NASPAN should facilitate this for some of its members that

qualify.

NIFOR NIFOR has been able produce hi-brid seedlings for the

domestication of Shea trees. This was quite remarkable.

Participants that are interested in getting the seedlings should

visit the Bida nursery. Contact person is Musa Koloche

08186400669

PAPER PRESENTATIONS Papers present should be uploaded on both the conference

and NEXTT websites for participants to access

12 | P a g e

Appendix 1: Photo Speak

Wife of the VP delivering her speech Mrs Mobola Sagoe, CEO Shea Origin

giving her welcome address

Goodwill message by the Exec Director, NEPC

The wife of the VP at the exhibition Shea cosmetics on display

13 | P a g e

Lovely Shea cosmetics on display.

14 | P a g e

Appendix 2: Speakers Profile

Name Organisation Designation/Profile

1 Dr. Abimbola

Adegboye

National Agency for Food

and Drug Administration and

Control (NAFDAC)

Deputy Director (Lab

Services)

2 Mrs Kadiri Haleemat National Agency for Food

and Drug Administration and

Control (NAFDAC)

Chief Regulatory Officer

3 Mrs. C.V. Egwuonwu

Standards Organization of

Nigeria (SON)

Deputy Director,

Standards Development

4 Dr. Omorefe

Asemota

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm

Research (NIFOR)

Executive Director/CEO

5 Mrs. Francesca

Brenda Opoku

(courtesy of

PropCom)

Solution Oasis Ltd. Ghana

(A Ghanaian agro

processing company that

manufactures the BEAUTY

SECRETS and KIPENZI ranges

of natural beauty products

from Shea Butter and

Agricultural waste)

Chief Executive Officer

6 Mr Jack King Bank of Industry (BOI) Regional Manager North

Central

7 Mr Afolayan

Gbenga

Nigeria Export-Import Bank

(NEXIM)

Export Credit Officer

8 Mr Afolabi Bello Nigeria Export Promotion

Council (NEPC)

Principal Trade Promotion

Officer

9 Mr Paul Ajayi Nigeria Export Promotion

Council (NEPC)

Principal Trade Promotion

Officer

10 Alhaji M.K.

Badamosuyi

Federal Ministry of Trade &

Investments (FMTI)

Director, Commodities &

Products Inspectorate

Services

11 Mr Williamson OYSADEP 4s Agric consultant,

Appendix 3: Papers presented (Find attached as PowerPoint slides)

15 | P a g e

Appendix 4: Feedback from participants

NAME: Olu Toluhi

COMPANY/BRAND NAME:

SHEASENTALS

LOCATION OD BUSINESS: Abuja

SOURCE OF SHEA: Benue and Niger

Comment: I am very grateful to

USAID|NIGERIA for talking about

Shea because it is one of the most

important means of livelihood for

rural woman in all the remote areas

of Nigeria. Now that everyone is

talking about inclusive growth,

developing this sector is a huge

massive of emancipating thousands

of poor women. I am also very

happy that we are allowed to exhibit

our products free of charge because this does not happen at other conferences

or workshops on Shea where we will be asked to pay N50,000 or N100,000 but here

there are a lot of people that are buying from us and they get to know about the

movement of Shea.

NAME: Keze Kenneth

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: Cocoa

Botanicals Limited/Cocoa Terra

LOCATION OF BUSINESS: Abuja

SOURCE OF SHEA: Niger

Comment: “This Shea conference by

USAID|NIGERIA should be made an

annual event because it will create

more awareness and publicity to help

the sector develop. Let’s use the

platform to create more awareness to

make it more participatory. Sales at

the Shea Conference have been

incredible and the interest people are

showing to the products on sale is

very encouraging.

16 | P a g e

NAME: Bala Saidu and

Abubabukar Al-Mustapha

Mustapha (Partners)

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: SHEA

DYNAMICS RESOURCES LIMITED

LOCATION OF BUSINESS: Bida in

Niger

SOURCE OF SHEA: Niger, Kwara ,

Kebbi, FCT

Comment: “This conference is

one of the best things that can

happen to Shea in this country

because the resource persons,

the coordination of the event,

the exhibition, the interaction

and the output generally can

be crowned to be an excellent and impactful one. With the support of

USAID|NIGERIA, we now have total confidence that Shea industry has a voice

and we are taking away from this conference, the knowledge of premium quality

butter production to rural women. We are also confident that we can inform the

women that Shea is reaching more people via value addition in cosmetics and

food industry hence the need for good standard as the world is really speaking

about Shea butter which is now going higher than cocoa and might soon be

competing with oil. Shea butter has the potential to compete with oil and gas for

Nigeria.”

NAME: Alhaji SA Suleiman

COMPANY/BRAND NAME:

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Abuja

SOURCE OF SHEA: Kebbi state

Comment: “I made useful contacts and got vital information regarding the big

value chain in terms quality standards, the export procedures and requirement

and connection with other people in the sector. I am well informed now and in a

better position to take decisions regarding my business.”

17 | P a g e

NAME: Sam Gwar

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: Oracle

Star Shea Butter.

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Markudi,

Benue State.SOURCE OF SHEA:

Benue and Niger states Comment:

“This Shea Conference is a very

good thing to happen to the Shea

family. We produce a lot of things

and there’s been no place to exhibit

and sales. This forum provided a very

good opportunity for us to show

case Shea butter here. The

conference has also helped us to

make market linkages across the

Nigeria.”

NAME: Amina Danjuma

COMPANY/BRAND NAME:

ESTANDAN Shea Butter

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Zuru,

Kebbi State

SOURCE OF SHEA: villages across

Kebbi state

Comment: “I am very happy that I

came here because all the

information I got at this Shea

Conference will be very useful for

the hundreds of women I work with

in Zuru village. I will be sharing this

information with them to improve

the processing standard of our Shea

butter which will enhance its quality

for the international market.”

NAME: Kayode Abegunde

18 | P a g e

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: Tambourine International Services Limited

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Ilorin and Abuja

SOURCE OF SHEA: Potential investor in Shea value chain

Comment: “This conference is a great one because it has actually opened my

eyes. More of this in the sector is essential to bring stakeholders together because

information is key and it is scarce in this sector. Deliberations like these are very

important and we need it to build a larger network.”

NAME: Ayo Ifebanjo

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: Seedland

Agroallied Limited

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Lagos

SOURCE OF SHEA: Potential investor

Comment: “I came to this Shea

Conference for big development and to

understand the whole value chain and

know where to place my company before

moving into production. The whole

concept is interesting. I learnt that Ghana

has six Shea processing plants while

Nigeria has none, yet we produce a lot

more Shea nuts than the entire West Africa

region. This is serious eye opener for me

and I’m taking it back to my company

that we must explore the Shea value

chain to get the best out of this multi-

billion industry that is unexploited.

NAME: Yero Ahmed Bello

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: JIGNA

ECO-ranch limited/OKWUME

(name of Shea butter in 18 Nigeria

languages)

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Abuja

SOURCE OF SHEA: Usuma Dam

farm in Abuja where there are

3,073 wildly grown Shea trees.

Planning to cultivate 500 hectares

of Shea tree plantation in Kaduna

Comment: “I crashed into this

conference with the sight of the

event banner outside. I am very

impressed with USAID|NIGERIA

and Shea Origin for the

organization of this event because

19 | P a g e

the agenda is geared at getting results that will improve the processing standard

of Shea butter in Nigeria and also develop the survival of rural women that are

involved in this process.”\

NAME: Jadesola Durotoye

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: President of National Network of Shea Co-operatives

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Lagos State

SOURCE OF SHEA: South West Nigeria

Comment: “I think the content of the conference is right. It can be improved upon.

We need to build more interactive sessions in the next ones and extend it because

two days is not enough.”

NAME: Sholape Epega

COMPANY/BRAND NAME: Pink

Initiative/Shea Effect

LOCATION OF COMPANY: Lagos and

Abuja

SOURCE OF SHEA: Borno, Yobe and

Adamawa

Comment: “This conference has

opened a vast array of opportunities

and it has opened up the market. All

the rural women who were here are

all inspired and know they need to

expand and improve their processing

standards and also exploit the export

market. Let’s also have this

conference cum exhibition in Lagos, where the market is.”

Appendix 5: Attendance Sheets

(Find attached as Excel Sheet)