The Shea Value Chain Reinforcement Initiative in Ghana: Case Study
This paper studies the Shea Value Chain Reinforcement Initiative, which is a collaboration in Ghana between SAP and PlaNet Finance. The initiative uses microfinance, education and technology to improve income and living conditions of women who pick or process shea nuts.
Producing shea nuts and shea butter is among the most accessible income-generating activities for rural women in Ghana. Their incomes, however, are unstable due to inadequate market information and business knowledge and low negotiating power. Achievements of the Shea Value Chain Reinforcement Initiative include:
- Women have been organized into an association, Star Shea Network (SSN), and trained to process better nuts and butter;
- SSN sold 93 metric tons of nuts to Olam International, a major buyer;
- SAP’s contribution of technical expertise enabled Rural Market Connection, an order management software program that provides transparency to buyers;
- Women access price updates through updates on mobile phones;
- SSN website markets products to global markets.
The paper identifies challenges and suggests solutions to ensure success and sustainability of the program. SAP can maximize its investment by developing a sustainable program funding model and replicating the initiative throughout the shea sector and beyond.
