La 16 â International Shea Butter Conference opened on Monday, May 19, 2025 in the vibrant rooms of the Cotonou Convention Center in Cotonou, capital of... Economy of Benin. The event is organized by the Global Shea Alliance (AGK

A kaleidoscope of actors, producers, processors, exporters, researchers and decision-makers meet for three days around a unifying theme: “The future of shea butter: creating a win-win business”. For the third time, after 2012 and 2017, Benin, a key player in the “shea belt”, is becoming the crossroads where the future of this green gold is taking shape, driven by the energy of 16 million African women and an ambition for uncompromising sustainability. Coming from Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin, the real pillars of global production, the participants focus on a strong promise, that of transforming the shea sector into a model of resilience and equity for all its actors. Panels, workshops and information sessions explore crucial issues. These include innovation in product processing, adaptation to increasingly demanding international regulations, securing supplies in the face of hazards and the restoration of shea farms, threatened by climate change. This conference is a real laboratory where concrete solutions for a sustainable and fair industry are born, according to an AGK representative

The conference places particular emphasis on empowering women and ensuring their rights. Dedicated sessions explore how to guarantee them a decent and fair income, strengthen their access to international markets and effectively protect them from climate hazards that directly threaten shea farms