KB Shea better

Program Overview

Our Shea Better™ Sustainability Program debuted in 2019 with the goal of supporting the African women who harvest our shea while protecting the ecosystem. This inaugural program impacted the lives of more than 1,200 women in Burkina Faso and inspired us to do more. In 2020, we evolved the program to focus our efforts on 8 villages outside the Mole National Park in Northern Ghana, with 4 key areas: Better Transport. Better Storage. Better Fuel-Efficiency and Better Processing.

Hover each for more info!

MICRO-WAREHOUSE CONSTRUCTION

These warehouses will allow the women cooperatives to store more Shea kernels during the harvest, therefore increasing their output and income. The dedicated space can also provide women with income diversification as the women’s groups can choose to rent out the warehouse to store other crops in the off-season.

COMMUNITY MOTORBIKES

Each warehouse will also receive a tricycle with a storage bed that will enable the harvesters to more easily transport kernels and increase their earning potential.

IMPROVED, FUEL-EFFICIENT STOVES

We’ll be continuing our program of providing fuel-efficient stoves as we’ve seen the positive impact they have on the women – less burns and smoke inhalation – and their communities – less wood burned and water used.

MODERN ORGANIC SHEA PROCESSING CENTER

We’re co-financing and constructing a modern organic shea processing center with improved equipment which will help to reduce water and fuel consumption by up to 75%, as well as reduce solid waste by using shea waste as fuel. It will also improve productivity and working conditions by reducing smoke inhalation.

OUR PARTNER:

GLOBAL SHEA ALLIANCE

The GSA is a non-profit industry association with 500 members from 35 countries—including women's groups, brands, retailers, suppliers, and NGOs. Through the public-private partnership, the GSA promotes industry sustainability, quality practices and standards, and demand for Shea in food and cosmetics.