Nigeria has announced a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts, an important crop for the global cosmetics industry. The order, given in late August by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is meant to move Nigeria from selling raw nuts to exporting processed shea butter and related products. Other West African nations, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Ghana, have introduced similar measures in recent years. Shea butter is made by crushing the nut and is widely used in lotions, shampoos, and skin creams. Nigeria produces about 40 percent of the world’s shea nuts but gains only 1 percent of the $6.5 billion market for finished shea goods. Officials said the ban aims to strengthen local industry, create jobs, and support rural communities, not to block international trade.

The decision comes as a major shea butter processing plant opens in Niger State, one of the largest in Africa. Projections suggest the ban could bring $300 million in the short term and as much as $3 billion by 2027. However, some experts warn that Nigeria’s processors may not yet have enough capacity to handle all the nuts. Reports note that more investment and infrastructure are needed. Observers also highlight a contradiction in policy, since President Bola Tinubu has recently promoted free-market reforms. This has raised debate about whether the ban will achieve long-term success.