Women shea collectors in Northern Region receive major boost

AAK, a global producer of plant-based oils and fats, has begun disbursing more than €13 million (over GH¢170 million) in annual pre-financing support to women shea collectors under its Kolo Nafaso programme ahead of the 2026 shea season.

The interest-free and obligation-free financing will benefit women across participating communities in Northern Ghana, helping to improve income stability and support livelihoods during the lean season before harvesting begins.

According to AAK, the Kolo Nafaso programme now has 275,000 women members as of April 2026, up from 230,000 in January this year, making it the largest direct sourcing programme for any agricultural crop globally.

The disbursement exercise started in the Bimbilla area, where 15,480 women are expected to receive support.

Officials from the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry visited AAK’s operations in Tamale to observe the rollout. The delegation included the Director of Agribusiness, Kwame Oppong-Ntim, and Deputy Director, Abdul Muhsin Abubakari.

The officials interacted with beneficiaries and partners to assess how the financing programme is supporting women shea collectors at the community level.

The pre-financing initiative is aimed at supporting women during a period when many have limited income before the shea harvesting season begins. The funds are intended to help beneficiaries prepare farms, buy seeds and farming inputs, and meet household expenses.

AAK said the financing comes with no interest charges and no obligation for beneficiaries to sell their shea kernels to the company.

Beyond the financing support, the Kolo Nafaso programme also provides training, transparent weighing and pricing systems, digital traceability, mobile money services, savings opportunities and performance-based bonuses linked to quality and volume.

Speaking on the initiative, Kolo Nafaso Programme Manager at AAK, Bernard Awopone, said the programme is designed to create long-term stability for women and strengthen the shea value chain.

AAK said the rollout will continue across more communities in Northern Ghana in the coming months ahead of the peak harvesting season.