West African Soy Industries Limited (WASIL), a member of the TGI Group, in collaboration with the USAID-funded Global Shea Alliance (GSA), recently announced the construction and donation of 100-tonne warehouses to women cooperatives in five Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
Alongside the warehouses, the company also donated pots for cooking and drying shea nuts before storage. According to the spokesman, this donation will facilitate the aggregation and storage of shea nuts, fostering inclusion and leading to economic gains in each community.
The benefiting communities, including Patigi, Babanla, Fanagu, Alapa, and Gbugbu, will receive secure environments for bulk storage of shea nuts, minimizing losses due to spoilage and pests. This will result in a more stable supply and higher quality of shea nuts, expanding income opportunities for women shea collectors in these areas.
Rafiat Gawat, Head of Corporate Communication at TGI Group, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their support in realizing this initiative. Emphasizing TGI Group’s commitment to inclusive agricultural development, Gawat stated, “Women and youths are a core focus of our sustainability initiatives, and we are always keen to support them, especially in agribusiness. The donations attest to this. The work the women do is invaluable as the shea from their villages goes into products that traverse the world.”
Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology in Kwara State, commended TGI Group, WASIL, and their partners. She highlighted how such initiatives align with the state government’s agricultural master plan, hence their willingness to lend support.
Yosola Onanuga, Head of Sustainability at TGI, discussed the impact of WASIL’s sustainability efforts, noting significant improvements in productivity and business capabilities among female shea collectors. Onanuga stated, “Our program has empowered over 5,000 women in Kwara State, providing training in shea nut production, cooperative management, and agricultural best practices. This initiative not only enhances economic opportunities but also promotes environmental conservation through the planting of shea trees.”
Aaron Adu, Managing Director of the Global Shea Alliance (GSA), applauded WASIL’s proactive approach in supporting women cooperatives across Kwara State. “The construction and donation of these warehouses signify a significant step towards enhancing the economic stability of shea-producing communities. By providing the essential infrastructure for shea nut aggregation and storage, this initiative not only safeguards the quality of shea nuts but also empowers women with greater control over their livelihoods. The Global Shea Alliance is proud to collaborate on efforts that promote sustainable practices and economic empowerment within the shea industry,” Adu said.
Ayinla Abosede, a woman leader from the Alapa Community cooperative, expressed appreciation for the donation, highlighting its importance in effective shea nut storage. She encouraged other women to join the cooperative to benefit from the initiative. Aminat Shuaibu, another woman leader from Patigi Community, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the positive impact on production volume and community welfare.
Complementing the Global Shea Alliance’s goal to cultivate 10 million new shea and native trees, the program actively contributes to environmental conservation. It includes planting up to 5,000 shea trees, empowering women with direct involvement in environmental stewardship and effective resource management, ensuring the sustainability of the shea parkland ecosystem.
TGI Group’s sustainability efforts in agribusiness extend beyond shea to other value chains, including cocoa, cotton, rice, and sesame. Through partnerships and training programs, TGI Group aims to empower smallholder farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
