Tamale: The World Shea Expo, one of Africa's most significant agribusiness platforms, is set to return to Tamale in August 2026 under the theme 'From Local Commodity to Global Brand: Accelerating Women and Youth-Led Value Addition in Shea.'
According to Ghana Web, the upcoming Expo aims to deepen investment, expand international trade linkages, and enhance value addition across the shea value chain, building on the success of the previous edition. Scheduled for September in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region and a key location within the shea producing belt, the event is expected to attract over 8,000 participants worldwide, including women cooperatives, processors, exporters, policymakers, investors, development partners, and international buyers.
The Expo is organized by Savannah Golden Tree Limited in collaboration with the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness under the Office of the President of Ghana (PIAA), with support from national institutions such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Ghana EXIM Bank, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), and the Ghana Enterprises Agency.
The 2026 Expo will include a variety of activities such as exhibitions, technical presentations, plenary sessions, field trips, business-to-business engagements, training programs, and live demonstrations, all designed to strengthen linkages across the shea value chain and promote industrial transformation.
The theme 'From Local Commodity to Global Brand: Accelerating Women and Youth-Led Value Addition in Shea' reflects Ghana's shift from exporting raw shea to building a competitive, value-driven industry. Despite Ghana's strong export position supplying global cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries, much of the value chain remains external. Exports exceed 70,000 metric tons, valued at approximately $112.6 million, while the global market is projected above $2 billion, highlighting substantial transformation potential.
Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, Director of the Presidential Initiatives in Agriculture and Agribusiness, emphasized the strategic importance of the Expo in driving national development. The Expo marks a significant step in Ghana's journey toward agribusiness transformation, focusing on building a globally competitive shea industry that creates jobs and empowers women and youth, securing long-term prosperity for rural communities.
The Expo will foster collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, research bodies, and traditional authorities, with policy dialogues focusing on industrialization, trade, agribusiness financing, climate resilience, and regional cooperation within the shea sector.
The event will feature an international exhibition showcasing shea products, processing technologies, and innovations in packaging and branding. Business-to-business forums will link cooperatives, SMEs, investors, and global buyers to drive investment and trade partnerships. Youth-focused sessions will support entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, and innovation initiatives.
Organizers aim to achieve measurable outcomes, including increased investment in processing, expansion of international trade, and the development of globally recognized Ghanaian shea brands. The Expo is expected to strengthen Ghana's position in global shea markets, promote rural industrialization and job creation, enhance women and youth participation in agribusiness, and encourage sustainable management of shea parklands.
As preparations intensify, Tamale is poised to host the world, bringing together diverse voices and interests to unlock the full potential of one of Africa's most valuable natural resources. For many in the industry, the return of the World Shea Expo marks a defining moment in the evolution of Ghana's shea sector from a commodity-driven industry to a globally respected brand.
In conclusion, the World Shea Expo 2026 will convene stakeholders across the entire value chain to drive collaboration, innovation, and investment, transforming the shea sector into a competitive, value-added industry. Organizers urge strategic partners, investors, financial institutions, and industry players to actively collaborate and support the Expo for its success and long-term, sustainable impact.