From June 12 to 14, 2023, the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) held its annual international conference in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on the theme "Building Resilient Supply Chains". The conference brought together over 400 participants from 22 countries in Africa, Asia, America, and Europe around four main activities: panel discussions, networking sessions, training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and a field visit.
A total of 46 panelists took part in the event, where discussions included building resilient supply chains, developing new markets for shea, the impact of regulation on supply chain performance and resilience. Panelists addressed topics such as innovations in protecting shea parks, best practices in park management, as well as strategies to ensure a sustainable supply of shea through regenerative agroforestry.
For example, following a study of the impact of agroforestry on shea and sorghum productivity in the south-central region of Burkina Faso, Georges Bazongo of the NGO Tree Aid recommended promoting local land charters as a means of participatory protection of shea trees, encouraging agroforestry as an adaptation to the effects of climate change, and training producers in Assisted Natural Regeneration and the use of improved sorghum varieties. Similarly, Robert GBENGBERNABE of the NGO GEVAPAF in Togo shared his experience of the introduction of digitization in the management of shea parks, which has enabled more accurate knowledge of the market potential of shea, better organization of collection and improved management and preservation of park and forest trees.
In addition to this, discussions also focused on the integrated use of community forests and the links between business, shea community livelihoods, climate, and biodiversity. These exchanges demonstrate the importance of park preservation and restoration in the shea industry and align with the project "Towards climate-resilient shea communities in Togo and Burkina Faso". This two-year project, implemented by AGK through the funding of the Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) housed within the African Development Bank (AfDB), aims to reduce the climate vulnerability of 7,500 women shea collectors and their communities (over 30,000 people), by increasing the income generated by activities such as shea and beekeeping, and improving community-led park management practices.
The conference was also attended by several partners, including Rita Effah, coordinator of the Africa Climate Change Fund.
For further information, please contact: Lucy Debrion at L.DEBRION@AFDB.ORG and Nestor DEHOUINDJI at ndehouindji@globalshea.com.
