How can shea be turned into a genuine lever for value creation, investment, and the development of Ivorian exports? This issue was at the heart of the first edition of the Salon National du Karité (SNKA), in which Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export participated as a sponsor on 13 and 14 October 2026 in Abidjan.
Organised by the Fédération Nationale du Karité de Côte d’Ivoire (FENKACI), with the support of the Conseil Coton Anacarde Karité, this event was held under the high patronage of Mrs Dominique OUATTARA, First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, the patronage of Mr Téné Birahima OUATTARA, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and under the presidency of Mr Bruno Nabagné KONÉ, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food Production.
From raw material potential to local value creation.
Shea represents a resource whose potential for value addition extends far beyond the sale of raw materials alone. Its processing can open up prospects across several sectors, notably cosmetics and agri-food products, whilst generating opportunities for businesses involved in collection, processing, packaging, and marketing.
However, the sheer potential of a sector is not enough on its own to guarantee its development. It requires a favourable investment environment, businesses capable of processing the resource, products that meet market expectations, and commercial channels that allow them to be sold sustainably.
This is precisely the issue raised by the theme of this first edition: bringing together the necessary conditions to drive the shea sector towards greater processing, added value, and competitiveness.
Attracting investors and encouraging businesses to position themselves.
By bringing together institutions, businesses, investors, and technical and financial partners, the Salon National du Karité provides a conducive framework for raising awareness among economic actors regarding the potential of this sector and exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
For Ivorian businesses, the aim is to identify possibilities for diversifying their activities, developing processed products, and positioning themselves more effectively in high-potential markets.
For investors and partners, this momentum presents an opportunity to examine prospects related to developing processing capacity, adding value to derived products, and structuring value chains.
The challenge is therefore to align initiatives and resources around a shared ambition: to build a sector capable of generating more value within Côte d’Ivoire and strengthening commercial prospects for its stakeholders.
Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export, a partner in the commercial development of the sector.
For Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export, this issue is central, and the agreement signed on 6 February illustrates this commitment well. Through this agreement, the Agency commits alongside the Conseil Coton, Anacarde et Karité to structure its sectors for better international market outlets. Represented by its Director General, Dr Kaladji FADIGA, and an institutional stand, Agence Côte d’Ivoire Export intends to contribute to this momentum by connecting businesses with commercial opportunities and facilitating exchanges with economic actors and potential partners.
