Top 7 Shea-Producing Regions in West Africa

Nigeria is often described in FAO sheanut-series commentary and Global Shea Alliance overviews as the largest shea-kernel producer in West Africa. Official kernel figures are on the FAOSTAT Karite nuts (sheanuts) series for the latest year. Collection is commonly reported across the northern and north-central savannah, including Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Kogi. EMI Agro sources wild-collected kernels through cooperatives in Kwara, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi and presses in Ibadan. State-level geography is on the shea-producing regions directory.

Ghana is among the principal shea countries of the West African belt, with collection concentrated in the northern and savannah regions and Tamale often named as a trading hub. The Global Shea Alliance secretariat is in Accra — a location fact, not a production rank. FAOSTAT kernel figures and butter-export series do not always place Ghana in the same order, because processed butter and kernel tonnes are different commodities. Geography and season are on the directory profile.

Burkina Faso is among the principal shea-kernel countries of the West African savannah in FAO and Global Shea Alliance overviews. Collection is described as nationwide across the parkland belt rather than a single state cluster. Official kernel figures are on FAOSTAT. Production rank is not a quality rank — FFA is set after harvest. Geography and season are on the directory profile.

Mali is a principal West African producer in FAO sheanut series and industry overviews, with collection often described in the southern savannah including Sikasso, Ségou and Koulikoro. In some FAOSTAT years Mali’s reported kernel figure sits close to, or above, countries that industry briefs treat as larger butter exporters — kernel tonnes and butter exports are not the same ranking. Official figures are on FAOSTAT. Geography is on the directory profile.

Côte d’Ivoire is among the shea-belt producers of West Africa, with collection described across the northern savannah, including the Korhogo area. It appears in the FAOSTAT Karite nuts (sheanuts) country list. Official kernel figures are on FAOSTAT. Geography and season are on the directory profile.

Benin is a shea-belt producer and appears in the FAOSTAT Karite nuts (sheanuts) series. Public accounts often name the northern departments — Borgou, Alibori and Atacora — as collection zones. Volumes in published series are typically described as smaller than those of Nigeria, Mali or Burkina Faso. Official figures are on FAOSTAT. Geography is on the directory profile.

Togo sits at the smaller-volume end of the West African shea belt and appears in the FAOSTAT Karite nuts (sheanuts) country list. Collection is often described in the northern Savanes and Kara regions. Official kernel figures are on FAOSTAT. Production rank is not quality rank — freshness is set after harvest, not by which country collected the nuts. Geography and season are on the directory profile.