Nigeria Ends Raw Shea Nut Exports to Boost Value Addition

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared an end to the export of raw shea nuts, focusing on value addition to enhance the domestic economy. Minister of State for Industry John Enoh made this announcement during the Shea 2026 Beyond Borders Conference in Accra, Ghana.

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to transform Nigeria's shea trade, which has seen significant changes over the past eight months. The government aims to shift from exporting raw commodities to processed products, thereby creating jobs and expanding participation in the global market.

President Bola Tinubu's administration had previously announced a six-month ban on raw shea nut exports, which is set to extend until February 2027. Nigeria, producing between 350,000 to 500,000 tons of shea nuts annually, currently captures only a small percentage of the $6.5 billion global shea market.

The government aspires to increase its earnings from shea processing from $65 million to $300 million in the near term, with a potential growth target of $3 billion by 2027.