The global Shea alliance conference is the largest annual Shea industry gathering that brings together 500 regional and international stakeholders from across the value chain, the 3 days conference successfully unfolded with the following activities:
Monday march 12th:
– Registration and networking breakfast
– Conference opening ceremony which was well attended by the following dignitaries:
. Perm Sec Ministry of industry, trade and investment Mr Edet Sunday
. Global shea alliance president Mr Badie Marico
. Chairperson better life program hajia Aisha Babangida
. Department of international development country head, Ms. Debbie Palmer
. Federal minister of State, Mimistry of industry, trade and investment, Haj. Aisha Abubakar
. Executive governor, Niger state Dr Abubakar Sani Bello
. Federal minister of agriculture and rural development Dr Audu Ogbe
. Federal Minster of Trade and investment, Mr Okechukwu Enalamah
. First lady of Nigeria H.E Aisha Buhari
– The VIP walked through the exhibition stands.
– The discussions began immediately after with the special session : moderated discussion on Shea industry global perspectives
– Panel session 1: new opportunities for food products
– Panel session 2: promoting value addition in Africa
– Panel session 3:value addition in the cosmetics industry
Tuesday march 13th:
– The panel discussion continued
– Panel session 4: the GSA sustainability program in action
– Panel session 5: Shea Agroforestry parkland management
– Panel session 6: partnerships for sustainability
– Panel session 7: national level strategies
The closing ceremony ended with a gala night.
Wednesday march 14th:
– Small business trainings
– Interactive sessions: taking your business to the next level: stories from successful entrepreneurs
– Practical training
The major highlight of the conference revealed the global Shea alliance and USAID independent study by LMC international, a global agribusiness consulting firm to evaluate the growth of the share industry and its economic impact on producing communities over the past 20 years the study found out that the Shea export has increased from 50,000MT to more than 350,000 MT annually over the last 20 years.
The growth is due to increased utilization of Shea in global food and cosmetic markets, the increased exports are delivering 200 million USD in direct and indirect income in Shea producing communities.
H.E Maryam Mairo Aminu Waziri Tambuwal , wife of the executive governor of Sokoto state and founder, MMAWT Legacy initiative sent a delegation to attend the conference as well as receive an award of recognition and support for theshea industry on her behalf, the delegation includes;
Haj Laraba Dattijo
Barr Hafsat s. Dange
Haj Aisha Mamuda amongst others
The team networked and made meaningful contacts with diverse key players in the different categories of stakeholders in the industry who welcomed possible collaboration with people of Sokoto State.
