Local processing of nuts would create jobs, generate additional revenues for the populations and for the government and local administrations (50).

Shea trees, naturally drought-resistant and requiring minimal water and fertilizers, offer a resilient alternative as climate change increasingly limits the viability of other crops (42).

Overharvesting of shea nuts could lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity if not managed sustainably. In addition, wastewater pits associated with the production of shea butter has been associated with animal falling, representing an further threat to the local fauna (45).

Shea butter production is associated with high use of water, which can exacerbate water stress (45).

If the increase in production is achieved at the expense of food crops, there could be a negative impact on food security, particularly in vulnerable areas in the north.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: If the increase in production results in a sharp drop in prices, women producers could see their incomes fall.

Without proper oversight, workers across the value chain, especially farmers, may reap little benefits from the extra value addition generated by shea processing and shea butter production.

Lowlands, and in particular bas-fonds, are fragile environment that require careful soil and water management. Improper exploitation could rapidly deplete the resources (over drainage) and lead to a lower productivity on the long-term (47).

The benefits may accrue primarily to larger producers, which are better positioned to negotiate contracts with shea processing firms, leading to increased inequality within communities if certain groups gain more from investment into shea processing than others.

Create jobs, generate tax revenues, and lead to better outcomes for women shea producers.

The Côte d'Ivoire Rural Land Tenure Management Strengthening Program (PRESFOR) aims to enhance women's land rights through the involvement of land advocates, who will incorporate equity and gender issues into the land registration process. Strengthening land tenure rights for women is essential for shea production, where they play a leading role throughout the value chain (23).

The National Development Plan (2021-2025) targets shea as a priority crop in the northern agri-pole. Shea nuts processing is a crucial component of the government's strategy to generate local value-addition and employment (12, 17, 54).

The National Agricultural Investment Program II (Programme National d'Investissement Agricole or PNIA II) prioritizes raw materials processing, including shea products, aiming to mobilize 4,200 billion CFA francs (USD 8 billion) from the public and private sectors between 2018 to 2025 (8, 21).

The National Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy for Côte d'Ivoire addresses broad food security issues in Côte d'Ivoire, including access to nutritious food, resilience to shocks, and sustainable agricultural production, with shea production serving as a key example (19).

Fiscal incentives: In 2014, Côte d'Ivoire suspended the single exit duty (DUS) on shea, which amounted to FCFA 50 (USD 0.08) per kg (40).

Other incentives: The Côte d'Ivoire Land Policy Improvement and Implementation Project (PAMOFOR) helped deliver over 33,000 land certificates, with 22 percent of these issued to female landowners. Secure land ownership encourages the planting of additional shea trees and investment in better harvesting practices, thus boosting yields over time (23).

Other incentives: UN Women's Climate-Smart Shea Production program has been launched in partnership with the Ivorian government. It aims to reduce deforestation and improve the economic empowerment of rural women (26).

Other incentives: Impact funds and financing initiatives provide funding to firms producing shea butter. In 2024, the Invest for Jobs facility awarded a grant of €1.01 million (USD 1.09 million) (24%) to Bio-Amandes to finance the purchase of an oil mill while the ABC fund allocated 800,000 euros (USD 865,000) to the same company (27, 33).

Organic and fair trade certifications are essential for accessing certain international markets, particularly in Europe and North America. These include organic (ECOCERT) and fairtrade (Fair for Life) standards (27).

Note No. 00212 issued on August 3, 2022, indicates that honey and shea butter are no longer classified as wood products. As a result, honey and shea butter are no longer subject to authorization from the Ministry of Water and Forests for transportation and commercialization (38, 39).

Bio Amandes, L’Oréal, Sokarci, ABC Fund, Confédération Générale des Entreprises de Côte d’Ivoire (CGECI), Agrikraft, Bouna's women cooperative, Filière karité de Côte d’Ivoire (FIKACI).

Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water and Forests, National Rural Development Agency (ANADER), Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI).

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, UN Women.

Global Shea Alliance, Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly, Nitidae, Invest for Jobs, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Association des Femmes Productrices de Karité du Nord (AFPK-Nord), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD).

Savanes is the country's leading district for the production of shea nuts, notably in Poro and Tchologo. The National Development Plan also mentions shea as a priority crop in the northern agri-pole while the government actively supports shea production in the district through investments in laboratories and machinery. The opportunities for women to join the workforce are very limited in the district, and shea collection and processing is one of the only sectors where women are primarily involved (17, 25, 48, 55).

Denguélé is among the main producing districts, endowed with favourable climate. The National Development Plan also mentions shea as a priority crop in the northern agri-pole. The opportunities for women to join the workforce are very limited in the district, and shea collection and processing is one of the only sectors where women are primarily involved (17, 25, 48).

The Zanzan district, a main shea producer, is particularly affected by soil deterioration, in connection with slash and burn practices and deforestation. In addition, water resources are depleted with the Comoé river showing a rainfall deficit of 20.56%. Shea production appears as a sustainable alternative with low water needs. The opportunities for women to join the workforce are very limited in the district, and shea collection and processing is one of the only sectors where women are primarily involved (17, 25, 48, 56).

The Hambol region, located within the Bandama Valley district, is a major shea production area. The presence of the railway constitutes an asset for trade and the transport of raw shea nuts and shea butter. The Katiola department hosts an industrial zone, with an industrial land reserve of 253 hectares. The development of shea processing in the region is highlighted in the Strategic Development Plan 2021-2036 (46, 57).