EGDIF EGDIF Shea Connekt is the flagship project of EcoGrowth Development Initiatives Foundation (EGDIF) focused on strengthening collaboration, investment, and innovation across the global shea value chain.
It brings together key stakeholders across the ecosystem to drive inclusive growth, value addition, and sustainable development within Africa’s shea industry.
The shea industry plays a vital role in livelihoods and rural economies across Africa, yet it continues to face structural challenges including fragmented value chains, limited investment flows, weak market linkages, and uneven access to technology and innovation.
Shea Connekt is designed as a flagship project of EcoGrowth Development Initiatives Foundation (EGDIF) to address these constraints by strengthening collaboration, facilitating investment, and improving coordination across the global shea value chain.
The project engages a broad ecosystem of stakeholders including women processors, cooperatives, producers, exporters, manufacturers, investors, development partners, researchers, policymakers, and global buyers. Its focus is on building partnerships that unlock value addition, expand market access, and drive inclusive economic growth.
Implementation is delivered through year-round activities such as policy dialogues, investment forums, business matchmaking, innovation showcases, capacity-building programmes, and knowledge exchange initiatives. These engagements ensure continuous sector development beyond single events.
The flagship activation is convened annually in commemoration of World Shea Day on 16 July, serving as a high-level platform for dialogue, investment engagement, innovation exchange, and policy advancement within the shea sector.
Facilitate investment in shea production, processing, value addition, agribusiness, and export-oriented enterprises.
Strengthen linkages between producers, processors, exporters, buyers, and international markets.
Promote innovation, digital solutions, research, and modern technologies that improve productivity and competitiveness.
Create greater economic opportunities for women-led enterprises, cooperatives, and youth entrepreneurs across the shea value chain.
Support evidence-based policies, quality standards, financing, and institutional collaboration that strengthen the shea industry.
Promote environmentally sustainable, climate-smart, and inclusive development that ensures the long-term resilience of the shea ecosystem.
EGDIF is headquartered in Accra, Ghana. Our team coordinates digital development initiatives, capacity-building programs, and community-focused innovation projects across Africa.
Find us at our strategic development location supporting agribusiness innovation, shea industrialisation, and community transformation initiatives.
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