Nigeria has announced an immediate six-month suspension on the export of raw shea nuts in a bid to curb informal trade, strengthen domestic processing, and protect the shea industry.
The temporary ban, unveiled by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja, is expected to stabilize the sector and boost revenue generation to about $300 million annually in the short term.
Authorities say the measure is aimed at securing raw materials for local processors, creating jobs, and positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global value chain for shea products.
Despite producing nearly 40 percent of the world’s shea crop—about 350,000 tonnes annually across 30 states—Nigeria captures less than 1 percent of the $6.5 billion global shea market.
Officials blame unregulated cross-border trade, which results in the loss of more than 90,000 tonnes of raw shea each year.
The new policy seeks to transform Nigeria from a major exporter of raw nuts into a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil, and other derivatives, with long-term goals of industrial growth, rural development, and women’s economic empowerment.
