The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) has formally launched its 18th annual conference, bringing together governments, investors, women’s cooperatives, and industry leaders ahead of a three-day summit in Accra set for late April.
SHEA 2026 is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 April at the Accra International Conference Centre, convening stakeholders from across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia to explore emerging opportunities in trade, investment, and innovation within the shea sector.
The conference was launched in Tamale, where stakeholders underscored the strategic importance of northern Ghana, particularly the Northern Region, as a major hub in the global shea industry. The launch was held in partnership with Shea Network Ghana and aligned with Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative.
The GSA, which counts 849 members across 36 countries, said the 2026 edition will focus on strengthening partnerships across borders, responding to evolving regional policies, and unlocking new opportunities in food, cosmetics, and industrial markets.
Ongoing interventions under the Shea Value Chain Programme are expected to create more than 72,000 jobs, particularly for women, while improving sector productivity.
Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John, who opened the launch in Tamale, described the shea tree as a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and food security. He stressed that the sector had a clear role to play in Ghana’s economic reset, specifically in driving rural economic growth, supporting women entrepreneurs, and expanding export potential.
North-East Regional Minister Ibrahim Tia called for increased investment to drive economic growth and poverty reduction, while the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Development Authority, Emmanuel Abeere-Inga, reaffirmed commitment to positioning northern Ghana as a hub for sustainable shea production.
The conference will include high-level panel discussions, capacity-building training sessions, exhibitions, field visits, and a Deal Room where buyers, suppliers, financiers, and service providers can hold targeted business-to-business meetings.
Hajia Rabiatu Abdul Karim, President of the Ghana Shea Employers Association, appealed to stakeholders to support efforts to ensure more women from the shea sector can travel to Accra to participate in the conference, expressing optimism that the summit would translate dialogue into concrete partnerships.
Ghana is already one of the world’s leading suppliers of shea kernels and butter, with global demand from the personal care, food, and cosmetics industries continuing to grow. Countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland have been identified as high-demand markets for Ghanaian shea products.
