The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John Mburidiba, has launched the Shea 2026 Conference, aligning it with Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy initiative, part of a national strategy aimed at boosting productivity, creating jobs, and driving industrial growth by encouraging businesses and services to operate around the clock.

The Minister noted that the shea industry has the potential to address critical development challenges such as women’s empowerment, food security, and industrialisation.

Speaking at the launch in Tamale on Tuesday, Mburidiba said the region is not only home to millions of shea trees but also to hardworking women and communities whose knowledge, labour, and resilience sustain one of West Africa’s most important natural value chains.

“Today’s launch is not just the announcement of Shea 2026; it represents a commitment to elevate the shea sector, strengthen partnerships across borders, and ensure that the economic and environmental value of shea continues to benefit the people who depend on it most,” he stated.

The Regional Minister commended the Global Shea Alliance and Shea Network Ghana for their continued dedication to building a stronger and more inclusive shea industry in Ghana.

Mburidiba described the shea tree as “women’s gold,” noting that for generations it has provided livelihoods, food security, and economic opportunities for rural communities across northern Ghana and the wider Sahel region.

According to him, hundreds of thousands of women in Ghana are engaged in the collection, processing, and trade of shea kernels and shea butter. Through their work, they support families, educate children, and contribute significantly to the rural economy, even as the sector continues to evolve.

He added that shea is now a globally traded commodity, valued by the food, cosmetics, and personal care industries worldwide. Ghana, he noted, has become one of the leading suppliers of high-quality shea kernels and butter to international markets.

Mburidiba further stated that the growing global demand presents enormous opportunities for the country, particularly the Northern Region, to enhance value addition, expand exports, and create new economic prospects.

He explained that Ghana is currently advancing a national economic reset aimed at strengthening productivity, increasing investment, and unlocking opportunities across key sectors.

“The shea industry has a clear and important role to play in this reset, particularly in driving rural economic growth, supporting women entrepreneurs, and expanding Ghana’s export potential,” he added.

The Minister also emphasised the need for stakeholders to ensure that the sector’s growth remains sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to local communities.

The main conference will take place from April 27 to 29, 2026, at the Accra International Conference Centre in Accra.

The event remains the leading global platform for dialogue and business in the shea sector and will be held under the theme: “Beyond Borders.”

The 2026 edition will focus on strengthening cross-border collaboration, responding to evolving regional policies, and unlocking new opportunities across food, cosmetics, and industrial markets.

Board Chairman of Shea Network Ghana, Nicholas Apokerah, noted that events such as Shea 2026 provide stakeholders with the opportunity to showcase Ghana’s shea industry, promote its products, and expand both local and international markets.

He added that the conference will bring together stakeholders from Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia to explore new opportunities in trade, investment, and innovation within the shea industry.