In an interview with the media, CEO of   Ghana EXIM Bank, Mr Lawrence Agyinsam disclosed that   the shea industry employs over 1 million people. He said that farmers, mostly women, happen to be the bread winners of their families. He said that these women face a number of challenges  in shea collection such as snake bites, and lack of capital financing. Mr Agyinsam explained that this was what led the bank to invest about GhC 10million to establish   4 processing centers in the three Northern regions.

The project, he noted, will ensure that 400 women in 4 districts are trained in shea collection while 1200 collectors will receive safety tools, tricycles, drying platforms and lamps.

Mr Agyinsam said that the initiative, which is in collaboration with the 2nd Lady, Samira Bawumia's NGO, Samira Empowerment And Humanitarian Project, will help to increase the GHC2.5 billion export   revenue   generated   in 2016 to the   GHC 5 billion target set by the bank . "It will increase employment from 1600 to 3000 and also promote value addition to ensure it meets international standards" he added. He said that they have instituted a 5 year strategic plan which will see a second   phase to ensure those who were not captured in the first phase benefit from the second phase.

Mr Bright Darko, Head of Business Development and Project at the bank, said that the industry is made up of about 20,000 men and 50,000 women with a global market share of USD 380 billion with about 40 per cent going into skin care and cosmetics.
He said that the challenges facing the industry include access to finance , access to market, packaging and logistics.

He said that key factors that will account for the success of the industry include prompt disbursement of funds to farmers, access to a ready market and strong linkages between the 3 value chains.

The beneficiaries expressed joy at the collaboration between the GEXIM Bank and SEHP to help alleviate the problems facing them. They noted that one of their biggest challenges  is funding because proceeds from the production and sale of shea butter caters for their families.

Mr Aaron Adu, CEO of Ghana Shea Alliance said that Ghana exports approximately 70,000 tons per year with about 600,000 women contributing to export of the product.
Value addition in the industry, he noted, includes 6 expellers with the capacity to process 150,000 tons, 3 fractionation plants and a refinery.

Ghana is currently the only country doing fractionation and refining of shea nuts.