Problem / Challenge:
Shea processing is a major industry in Burkina Faso; however, it still involves outdated methods: Depleting forest populations, emitting significant carbon emissions, causing a number of health and hygiene risks, and doing little to improve the socio-economic situation in the country, which remains one of the poorest of the African nations.
Solution:
ImpactAgri is leading a consortium which includes sustainable development organisations, project developers, and engineering firms to improve the shea butter process in Burkina Faso by implementing Eco-Processing Centres, where the training and technology is provided to process shea butter cleanly and efficiently.
The initial development involves the implementation of 10 x clean and efficient processing centres to enable high volume and high-quality shea butter production (10,000mt / year), processing ~7,500 tonnes of fruit into ~3,750 tonnes of shea almonds, and ~1,000 tonnes of
export-quality shea butter per year.
Results:
The project has received significant grant funding from the African Development Bank and World Bank to conduct the preparation activities. The pilot centre is expected to be operational within the next 6 – 12 months, alone producing 1,000mt / year of high-quality shea butter and supporting 1,000s of women producers. Local women’s groups will collect and process the shea butter, where they will achieve significantly higher returns (2x – 5x current income levels), and also hold equity in the overall business entity.