Shea is an important source of income for an estimated four million women in western Africa, where they collect and sell shea kernels. AAK sources shea through our direct women’s group supply chain Kolo Nafaso, which engages more than 230,000 women.
A women's groups supply chain
In addition to the traditional shea supply chain, AAK sources shea from our direct women’s group supply chain Kolo Nafaso. Since 2009, the program focuses on poverty alleviation and women empowerment through direct trade, interest-free micro credits, and training of shea-collecting women in West Africa.
Women are completely free to decide who they want to sell their kernels to, but Kolo Nafaso offers a long-term partnership with a buying guarantee.
Additional commitments
Next to pre-financing and training, Kolo Nafaso also offers:
- A fully ethical and transparent business relationship
- Freedom for women to do business, a buying guarantee
- Training in better processing and business practices
- A fully segregated and traceable supply chain
Stronger Communities
While Kolo Nafaso directly contributes to poverty alleviation, it also contributes to women empowerment by confirming the economic value of shea and strengthening women’s role as economic actors in their communities.
The model
- No plantations - agroforestry
- Direct sourcing from women
- Extension officers providing extra training and support
FairWild certification for Kolo Nafaso
FairWild is an international organization dedicated exclusively to providing a global standard for the sustainable, ethical, and traceable harvesting of wild plants. Its framework is based on seven core principles that encompass sustainable resource management, legal and ethical compliance, and responsible business practices throughout the supply chain.
Kolo Nafaso is the first ever FairWild certified shea sourcing program, setting a new benchmark for ethical, sustainable, and traceable wild plant supply chains. This milestone ensures legal and responsible collection of shea across 400,000 hectares in West Africa and directly empowers over 230,000 women who rely on harvesting and selling kernels as a seasonal source of income.
Better Sourcing – podcasts
Our podcast series – Better Sourcing discussions – focuses on a range of topics relevant to making even better sourcing happen in the AAK raw material supply chain.
Episode #3 Rocket stoves – environmental and health benefits for shea collecting women (13:06 min)
Episode #2 First AAK Kolo Nafaso verification (15:52 min)
Episode #1 FAQs on shea sustainability (12:43 min)
Questions about our sustainability work?
