Nigeria Content Online

International shea
industry stakeholders will come to Accra, the capital of Ghana, for the
sector’s fifth annual conference, April 6-7, 2011.

The Global Shea
Alliance announced that ‘Shea 2011: Sustainable Solutions’ will feature
the launch of the world’s first international private sector shea
alliance and expert information on virtually every aspect of the
business.

“The conference
facilitates connections,information exchange and business among
stakeholders from across West Africa and around the world,” said Peter
Lovett, shea sector advisor at the USAID West Africa Trade Hub, which
organises the event with sponsorship from across the industry.

From the women’s
groups that collect shea nuts to the world’s major buyers of nuts and
butter, the conference is the only event of its kind for the industry.
Researchers, civil society, public sector officials, service providers,
financial institutions and transport companies will also participate.

“This event is the
most significant of its kind to date, for the global shea industry,”
said Peter Stedman, Senior Buyer at The Body Shop International.

Operators will formally launch the Global Shea Alliance at the conference, which they formed in October.

“An international
alliance will allow stakeholders to work together to promote shea in
international markets,” said Kadijatou Lah of Mali’s National Shea
Federation and CEO of Lawal International, a shea exporter.