Kwara State Announces Launch of 50-Tonne Shea Processing Factory in Kaiama

In a related development, the state is set to inaugurate a state-of-the-art 50-tonne shea processing factory in Kaiama Local Government Area, which will become Nigeria’s second-largest facility of its kind and the largest owned by any state government.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement issued today, praised the federal government’s decision as “a bold and deliberate step that will strengthen Nigeria’s value chain, create more opportunities for local producers, and increase the country’s share in the global shea market.” 

The ban, which includes an initial six-month moratorium on raw shea nut exports, aims to promote domestic processing and value addition, thereby generating higher income and employment, particularly for rural women involved in shea nut harvesting.

The Kaiama factory, a flagship project under the AbdulRazaq administration, is expected to process up to 50 tonnes of shea nuts daily, transforming raw materials into refined shea butter and other high-value products for both local and international markets. 

Officials say the facility will create hundreds of jobs, empower local communities, and position Kwara as a leader in Nigeria’s shea industry, which is a significant source of livelihood in the northern and central regions.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with the ban, as it will encourage investment in processing infrastructure and reduce the export of unprocessed raw materials,” the governor added. 

The launch is scheduled in the coming weeks, with further details on the inauguration ceremony to be announced soon.

Stakeholders in the agricultural sector have lauded the combined efforts, noting that Kwara’s shea resources, abundant in areas like Kaiama, could significantly benefit from such policies. 

The state government has also committed to providing training and support for farmers to maximize the opportunities presented by the ban and the new factory.