The global demand for natural and sustainable beauty products is on the rise, and Nigerian shea butter is taking centre stage. Since 2021, the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) has been driving the Shea Nigeria project to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, and women producers in accessing EU and regional markets. Globally Cool is proud to contribute to this initiative, helping strengthen trade linkages, promote responsible sourcing, and showcase the power of women in driving sustainable growth.
In August 2025, the Nigerian government introduced a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts, a move aimed at boosting domestic processing, encouraging informal trade, and enhancing the value captured locally. For international buyers, SMEs, women producers, and exporters alike, this policy shift offers both challenges and new opportunities.
Connecting producers to markets
During a recent mission to Nigeria, Globally Cool’s expert Roula collaborated with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to deliver a training session on enhancing local value chain linkages in the shea butter sector. The session evaluated NEPC’s current B2B tools and provided practical recommendations to improve how rural women producers connect with local processors. By building stronger market linkages, these women gain direct access to more reliable buyers, which helps secure their income and fosters long-term sector sustainability.
Showcasing success stories
Beyond training and consultation, storytelling played an important role during this mission. Several videos were produced to capture real success stories from Nigerian exporters. John Edwards Oil recently signed contracts at InCosmetics, one of the world’s leading beauty industry trade fairs, including a major deal with The Body Shop. Buyers requested a total of 400 metric tons of shea butter. Other exporters shared equally inspiring achievements. Salid Agriculture was shortlisted for the CBI CSR Award in recognition of its company’s responsible sourcing practices. Meanwhile, Dr. PureJoie is building direct partnerships with rural women suppliers, a step that not only strengthens supply chains but also ensures women producers benefit more directly from global trade opportunities.
These narratives will be featured on the new Shea Nigeria website, offering international buyers authentic insights into the sector’s transformation. It highlights the resilience of Nigerian exporters and the importance of building trust with international buyers. They also show how Nigerian companies are increasingly seen as credible suppliers of high-quality, ethically sourced shea butter, capable of competing on the global stage even under shifting policy environments.