Sahel Capital, fund Managers for the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN), has agreed to invest in Ladgroup, an indigenous agricultural company that engages in the processing and export of shea butter in Nigeria.

Olumide Lawson, Partner at Sahel Capital, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Ladgroup, and are excited by the growth opportunities within the global shea sector. We expect this investment to create jobs across the shea value chain in Nigeria, and to especially boost incomes of women who are the primary individuals active within the sector.”

Ladgroup commenced operations in 1972 with the exportation of shea nuts, cocoa, ginger, coffee & gum arabic, and became the largest exporter of shea nuts and cocoa.

The company is currently focused on the value addition of shea nuts through processing into shea butter for export on an industrial scale through its factory located at Ikenne‐Remo, Ogun State.

Ladgroup has built strong relationships with leading global shea stakeholders with an interest in West Africa, and has executed off‐taker agreements with some of these stakeholders.

With the investment, Sahel Capital will leverage on its wealth of experience and relationships in the West African corporate and agribusiness community to support Ladgroup’s growth and position the company as a market leader in the West African shea industry.

The investment will further strengthen Ladgroup’s capacity to bridge the processing gap of shea nuts in Nigeria, tap into the increasing global demand for shea butter, and venture into downstream industries such as refined cooking oil and other shea butter derivatives over the next few years.

The Board of Directors is being reconstituted with the investment in Ladgroup.

Olumide Lawson and Remi Bodunrin of Sahel Capital, along with a number of experienced independent directors, will join pre‐existing Board members such as Mr. Kunle Onafowokan (current Managing Director) on the reconstituted Board.

Prince Dr B.A. Onafowokan, Chairman and Founder of Ladgroup, said: “We are pleased to have reached agreement with FAFIN and to have them partner with us as shareholders in Ladgroup. Our long‐term focus is to be the leading shea processing company in West Africa, and we are confident that the financing and operational support from Sahel Capital, as well as its technical assistance facility will greatly improve our future prospects."