Dare Babalola
The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has urged the Federal Government to adopt a phased approach to the recent ban on raw shea nut exports.
According to Dr. Muda Yusuf, Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, a sudden implementation of the ban could have severe disruptions on the shea nut value chain.
“The policy effectively penalizes primary producers to benefit processors, creating a zero-sum scenario rather than a shared-growth model,” Dr. Yusuf said in a policy brief released on September 14, 2025.
Dr. Yusuf emphasised the need for a balanced approach that considers both value addition and economic inclusion. He recommended introducing clear timelines for phasing out raw exports, allowing businesses to adjust operations, and fulfilling existing export contracts.
“A phased transition—supported by structural reforms—will protect rural incomes, sustain non-oil export growth, and ensure that processors thrive on competitiveness rather than on a regime of subsidized raw materials,” he added.
The CPPE’s recommendations aim to promote a strategic, inclusive, and market-friendly approach to local value addition, ensuring a win-win outcome for farmers, processors, and the broader economy.
