GSA and African Development Bank fund US$1.3M for climate-resilient shea production

07 Mar 2023 --- The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) has signed an agreement with the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Africa Climate Change Fund (ACCF) to help create climate-resilient shea-producing communities in Togo and Burkina Faso.

The parties will leverage around US$1.3 million for the project entitled “Towards Climate Resilient Shea Communities in Togo and Burkina Faso.”

The project aims to reduce the climate vulnerability of 7,500 women shea collectors and their Togo and Burkina Faso communities by increasing income generated from shea cultivation and apiculture and improving community-led parkland management practices.

“Shea is a global food and cosmetic commodity that provides livelihoods to African communities. It is important to protect its supply chain by strengthening climate resilience and economically empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women shea collectors and processors,” says Rita Effah, ACCF coordinator at AfDB.

Community empowerment with shea
The goal is to empower local communities to gain the skills, knowledge and resources needed to realize sustainable shea production and access more job opportunities through climate-friendly processing practices.

Capacity building and equipment will be provided to strengthen the business acumen of women shea collectors and enhance their capacity to restore and maintain shea parklands.

“This project in Togo and Burkina Faso will enhance the resilience of communities and help address the root causes of gender inequality and the impacts of climate change in the project area,” says Effah.The project aims to reduce the climate vulnerability of female shea collectors. 

“Addressing gender inequalities is at the core of tackling climate change in Africa.” 

Source of employment
The environment and climate play an essential role in women’s lives in rural areas as it significantly affects agriculture, their most important source of employment.

“While the GSA has done a lot to mitigate these issues and diversify the sources of income for women in shea, we are pleased to gain more support through this project and work with the African Development Bank Group to deliver tailored gender-transformative solutions for climate resilience,” says Simballa Sylla, president at GSA.

The demand for wild plant ingredients has been growing at more than 75% in value over the past 20 years, according to a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report. 

However, with high demand comes a risk of overharvesting and habitat loss of wild plants. This is why the report assesses the risks and opportunities tied to 12 ingredients while outlining the role of industry players in responsible sourcing.

Nine of the 12 are vital ingredients used in cosmetic and beauty products outlined in the Wild check – assessing the risks and opportunities of trade in wild plant ingredients report. They include frankincense, shea, jatamansi, spikenard, candelilla wax, argan oil, brazil nut, licorice and juniper.

Edited by Inga de Jong