Press Releases
Global Shea Alliance Commits to Restore 4M Hectares of Shea Parkland with Clinton Global Initiative
Accra, Ghana – September 23, 2024 – The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) announced a significant pioneering effort to restore 4 million hectares of shea parklands across 10 African nations by 2030 at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting. This ambitious Commitment to Action with CGI, known as the “Action for Shea Parklands” initiative, addresses urgent environmental and socio-economic challenges impacting millions of people in West, Central and East Africa.”
Global Shea Alliance Joins Global Resilience Partnership Advisory Council
Accra, Ghana, 2 July 2024. The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) is delighted to announce that Aaron Adu, Managing Director of GSA, has been appointed as a member of the Advisory Council of the Global Resilience Partnership (GRP). Aaron brings over 20 years of experience in banking, agribusiness and industry association development to support GRP's mission of enhancing global resilience and sustainability. He currently leads the organisational development, strategy, membership expansion, partnerships and project management of the Alliance, a global industryassociation focusing on Sustainability, Policy and Quality Standards.
The Global Shea Alliance Announces its Annual Conference: Shea 2024
NIGERIA, Abuja ? The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), the non profit industry association with a mission to promote sustainability, quality practices and standards for shea in food and cosmetics, is pleased to announce the launch of its annual conference, Shea 2024.
The event will be held on 5th-7th March, 2024 at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja Nigeria.
GSA and GIZ Launch the ‘Shea Investment and Jobs Creation Program
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, within the framework of the Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition" of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is proud to announce the launch of the ‘Shea Investment and Jobs Creation Program’. This initiative will drive investment from the private sector into building an improved supply chain, further enhancing the shea industry. The focus is on strengthening the shea
industry in both Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, and it builds on the successes of an earlier project between GSA and GIZ, 'Improving Women Shea Collectors' Capacity in Ghana.
MARY KAY INC. PARTNERS WITH GLOBAL SHEA ALLIANCE TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Global Shea Alliance (GSA) is excited to announce that Mary Kay Inc., a global beauty brand and advocate for women’s empowerment is a member of the alliance. This new partnership aligns with Mary Kay's commitment to sustainability and its mission to empower women around
the world.
The GSA's core values are founded on promoting an inclusive value chain, fostering a pre-competitive and business-driven industry by ensuring sustainability and maintaining confidentiality in all transactions with its stakeholders.
The Global Shea Alliance Announces its Annual Conference, Shea 2023
COTE D’IVOIRE, Abidjan ? The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), the non profit industry association with a mission to promote sustainability, quality practices and standards for shea in food and cosmetics, is pleased to announce its annual conference, Shea 2023.
The event will be held on June 12th - 14th, 2023 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Abidjan Airport in Côte d’Ivoire.
This year’s theme ‘Building Resilient Supply Chains’ will explore how innovation, sustainability, and partnerships are critical to the availability of supply as the industry expands to meet increasing global demand. Participants will also discuss the influence of legislative opportunities as well as explore how the industry can better adapt to climate change and adeptly respond to other supply chain complexities.
Global Shea Alliance Announces Its Annual Conference, Shea 2022
Global Shea Alliance (GSA), advocates in promoting industry sustainability, quality practices and standards, and demand for shea in food and cosmetics, will host its annual conference, Shea 2022, on June 6th-8th 2022 in Lomé, Togo.
This year’s theme “Growing the Future: Strengthening resilience and restoration” celebrates the fortitude the industry has exhibited over the last 2 years and highlights the growing demand of shea, made possible through improved technologies, increased utilization in the food and personal care sectors, growing consumer awareness and new legislation taking effect around the world. The conference will expand on building resilience in the industry through improved parkland management, shea supply and processing expansion while opening dialogue about the growth direction of the future in the industry for the next decade.
Global Shea Alliance Organizes National Shea Conference and Opens New Annex Office in Togo
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) in partnership with Shea Interprofession of Togo, Conseil Interprofessionnel de la Filière Karité du Togo and Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is hosting the first ever two-day National Shea Conference on November 30th and December 1st, 2021. The event themed ''Connecting the shea industry in Togo to the global industry'' will be officially launched along-side the GSA’s office annex on November 29th, 2021 by Her Excellency, Victoire Tomegah Dogbe, the Prime Minister of Togo.
TGI Group’s WASIL Joins Global Shea Alliance
West Africa Soy Industries Limited WASIL, a member of the Tropical General Investment (TGI) Group and a leading Nigeria-based agribusiness and edible oils and fats processing company has joined the Global Shea Alliance “GSA”.
The company has also registered as a sustainable partner in line with its commitment to boost local value addition and contribute to the sustainable development of the Nigerian shea sector.
Global Shea Alliance Launches ‘Shea More Love’ on International Day of Rural Women
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) today launched ‘Shea More Love’ toraise awareness about the Action for Shea Parklands (ASP), a sustainability initiative that aims to grow 10million trees, restore 4 million hectares of parklands, sequester 882,000 tons of CO2 carbon, and train 250,000 people on sustainable parkland management. ‘Shea More Love’ will not only raise awareness about
ASP, but also help drive donations to the Parkland Restoration Fund (PRF) which will support the
achievement of ASP goals by raising $65.5M over 10 years.
Sustainable Shea Initiative Extended to Further Promote the Sustainable Expansion of the Industry
The Global Shea Alliance has been granted a three-year project extension by USAID to further its core mandate of sustainability and industry promotion, through the implementation of multi-stakeholder activities. The extension, with additional funding of over $2 million, was based on increased private sector interest for the program and the opportunity to reach additional women shea collectors, facilitate trade and market linkages for shea stakeholders.
VP Bawumia launches Parkland Restoration Fund to protect shea parklands
The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched the Parkland Restoration Fund (PRF) as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the shea industry continues to play its integral part in the lives of the people across 21 African countries, stretching from Senegal to South Sudan
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. joins the Global Shea Alliance
6 April 2021, Accra, Ghana – The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC), one of the
world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance
and hair care products, has joined the Global Shea Alliance (GSA).
Upfield Joins the Global Shea Alliance
Accra, Ghana, 9 March 2021 – Upfield, the global leader in plant-based nutrition and the leading producer of plant-based margarines, spreads and cheeses has joined the Global Shea Alliance (GSA). Upfield has also registered as a GSA sustainability partner, committing to promoting the sustainable development of the shea sector. Joining the Global Shea Alliance is an important component of Upfield’s sustainability strategy. In addition to the company’s Responsible Sourcing Policy and Human Rights Statement, Upfield’s position on shea will be directed by the sustainability guidelines and implementation criteria laid out by the Global Shea Alliance.
Newly Permitted Food Ingredients Create Largest Shea Market in the U.S. & Grow West African Exports
Global Shea Alliance (GSA) member and sustainability partner Bunge Loders Croklaan recently received a “no questions” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to its Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification for a new shea ingredient. The FDA letter effectively allows the use of shea butter fractions and their mixtures in the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of U.S. products including baked goods and breakfast cereals. The new market could potentially boost West African shea exports to the U.S. by an estimated 13,480 MT annually and generate $8,519,432 additional income per year for West African economies.
China & South Africa could be the next frontiers for shea-based products, study suggests
A study commissioned by the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) has identified the most promising export markets in Africa and Asia for West African shea exporters, including for those from Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo.
GCF approves $54.5m project to reduce deforestation and carbon emissions in Ghana’s shea landscape
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a project worth 54.5 million US dollars to address the alarming deforestation and forest degradation challenges in the Northern Savannah Zone of Ghana, whilst promoting investments in the shea value chain and women’s empowerment.
Global Shea Alliance in Partnership with U.S. Government Launch 2020 Tree Planting Effort
On Wednesday, August 12, 2020, the Global Shea Alliance in partnership with the U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development “USAID” launched the 2020 tree planting efforts with the development of a 50-seedling shea nursery.
GSA Announces New Executive Committee and Advisory Board
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) is pleased to announce the 2020-2023 Executive Committee and Advisory Board Members. The Executive Committee is the highest governing body with a mandate to provide member representation, strategic direction, and oversight of Secretariat activities.
Global Shea Alliance Welcomes Beiersdorf AG
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) is pleased to announce Beiersdorf AG, a Hamburg-based company, as a member of the Alliance. Beiersdorf AG has also signed up as a GSA Sustainability Partner.
New Study Highlights Shea's Potential to Mitigate Effect of Climate Change
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO Regional Office for Africa), have released a study which underscores the shea tree’s potential to mitigate climate change in West Africa. The study found that, at present, the shea value chain fixes 1.5 million tons of CO2 every year in West Africa. Relative to production volumes, every ton of shea kernel produced has a negative carbon footprint of 1.04 tons of CO2.
GSA Postpones Shea 2020
Due to the growing global concerns on the spread of the corona virus (COVID-19), the Global Shea Alliance (GSA) has postponed the International Shea Conference - Shea 2020 - to June 1- 3, 2020.
Global Shea Alliance and the Invest for Jobs launch a 1.15 million Euro two-year initiative
Global Shea Alliance and the Invest for Jobs launch a 1.15 million Euro two-year initiative to promote investments in the shea Industry in Ghana
The GSA Signs US$3.6 Million Agreement with EIF
The Global Shea Alliance (GSA), in partnership with the Enhanced Integrated Framework, (EIF) has launched a US$3.6 million regional program – “Supporting the Inclusive Commercial Development of the Shea Value Chain” (PRADCIFK).
Global Shea Alliance Welcomes Liz Earle
The Global Shea Alliance is pleased to announce that Liz Earle Beauty Co. has signed up as a GSA sustainability partner. In addition, Walgreens Boots Alliance, parent company of Liz Earle, has also become a member of the GSA.
New Study Demonstrates Economic Impact of Shea Export Growth
Global Shea Alliance and USAID recently commissioned an independent study by LMC International, a global agribusiness consulting firm, to evaluate the growth of the shea industry and its economic impact on producing communities over the past 20 years. LMC developed the methodologies and aggregated the data to produce the conclusions outlined in the study.
Global Shea Alliance welcomes support of Jergens Skincare
The Global Shea Alliance welcomed the support of the Jergens® brand today as the brand announced a strategic partnership with the Alliance.