TLDR:
– Wangara Capital Partners invests in Sommalife, a Ghanaian social enterprise supporting shea farmers.
– Sommalife connects farmers to international buyers, helps plant and protect shea trees, and supports sustainable farming.
Wangara Capital Partners, an impact fund based in Ghana, has invested in Sommalife, a social enterprise focused on supporting shea farmers in Ghana. The shea industry in Africa employs millions of women and provides a critical input to the confectionery and cosmetic industries. However, land degradation and deforestation are threatening incomes. Sommalife works with farmer groups to connect them directly with international buyers, bypassing middlemen in local markets, and providing training on sustainable farming practices. The investment from Wangara will help Sommalife expand its operations, with a focus on empowering women farmers.
In addition to linking farmers to markets, Sommalife also helps plant and protect wild shea trees to ensure the sustainability of the industry. Wangara Capital Partners’ impact fund targets investments in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and waste management. Sommalife has already onboarded over 65,000 farmers, including a significant number of women, and the funding will further support the organization’s efforts to promote sustainable farming practices and market access for shea farmers in Ghana.
