Shea butter

Boosts energy efficiency
Building a better butter
Increases productivity by reducing
wood scavenging
Supports rural development
UPSIDE Shea butter production is a major
source of income and cultural solidarity for
many women in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Conserves forests
Helps improve women’s incomes in
traditional and small-­scale agribusiness
DOWNSIDE Energy efficiency is poor with
traditional wood-fire production. Burning wood
poses environmental and health hazards, too.
Maintains social bonds of traditional work
* ONE SOLU T ION *
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U SE PR OD UCT ION WA S T E A S FUE L
When burned, shea nut shells and dried churning
sludges can be used as fuel to improve energy efficiency
and to reduce reliance on wood, as suggested by
scientists at the Institut International d’Ingénièrie de
l’Eau et de l’Environnement and CIRAD (Centre de
coopération internationale en recherche agronomique
pour le développement ) in Burkina Faso.
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© AIP Publishing 2014
Source: E.S. Noumi, M.H. Dabat, and J. Blin, 2013. “Energy efficiency and waste reuse: A solution for sustainability in poor West African countries? Case study of the shea butter
supply chain in Burkina Faso.” Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 5, 053134 (2013); doi: 10.1063/1.4824432
SHEA BUTTER
BENEFITS OF BURNING WASTE