Systemic restructuring of the shea supply chain
Over 16 million women smallholder farmers are engaged in the production of raw shea commodities in West Africa for global food and cosmetic manufacturers. These women are the backbone for billions of dollars in revenue, yet they live in poverty, living on less than $2 a day.
Welcome to Sommalife, a social enterprise that uses modern technology to create sustainable income and impact in rural communities. We are dedicated to establishing a future where rural women get the income and rewards they deserve for the value they create. Our vision is to eliminate the gap between stakeholders in the shea value chain and to guarantee transparency and traceability.
Sustainable resources for smallholder farmers
We provide resources for women farmer groups in shea producing communities to produce high quality farm commodities in large volumes. Bottlenecks such as manual operations, walking long distances to local markets and middlemen are reduced. Then we connect local producers to international markets to earn fair wages and additional income.
Our approach
We train
We provide valuable resources for rural people in shea producing communities to produce high quality products in large volumes. Our practical capacity building sessions equip local producers with skills to produce high quality finished products that set them apart from the rest of the market. They are also trained in financial management and given business strategies that will
make them effective microbusiness owners.
We equip
We eliminate many obstacles that slow down smallholder farmers involved in the shea value chain. Sommalife relieves the burdens of rural women who have to carry their commodities over long distances for processing and sales. Our network of agents source right from the communities. Producers also have access to processing equipment that reduces the labor intensiveness of their production.
We connect
We connect rural people in shea producing communities to international markets. We connect local producers to global buyers (exporters & manufacturers) which greatly improves their income and saves them from exploitation by local aggregators. We ensure fair prices are paid to local producers, currently 18% above market value.
