Industrial Shea nut processing in Mali Shea nuts from Mali are actually exported as nuts to neighbouring countries and then forwarded to overseas processors. Besides being used as an ingredient for cosmetics and soap, industrial Shea nut butter is used in the chocolate industry as an additive to take advantage of the higher melting point needed to sell chocolate products and snacks that do not melt at room temperature. The quality of the actual processed Shea butter, originating from Mali, is low as the primitive extraction methods result in high percentages of free fatty acid which makes the butter turn rancid.The partners Zijderlaan Waspik B.V. and APC Mali SA, will set up a collection network in the South of Mali and built a modern factory in which food grade, high quality, shea butter will be produced, vacuum packed, cold stored and shipped to customers world-wide in reefer containers at low temperature.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)This project is sustained by the Malinese ministry of Family affairs. The minister considers this project an excellent opportunity for rural women to get extra income. This ministry is also charged with the control on the prohibition of child labour. A NGO will be hired by the partners to control this aspect with the rural communities that gather the nuts for the joint venture. The contract and work plan of this NGO, approved by the Ministry of Family Affairs is sent to NL EVD International.A specified CSR policy for the applicant and the project will be delivered as part of the Results.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsA total of 37 employees will be hired by the joint venture.This project will offer its employees a wage package including fringe benefits such as medical aid for employees and dependents, participation in a preventive health care programme for HIV / AIDS, and support school fees for underage children.Protective clothing will be provided where relevant. An equal employment policy will be applicable.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgePresently, only crude unprocessed Shea nuts are exported from Mali. No local processing is present. This project will set up the first local Shea processing plant. Technology transfer will take place internally and externally.Internal technology transfer: staff and manual labour will be trained in operational and management of an innovative processing plant for Shea nuts.External technology transfer; a Good Shea Gathering Practices programme will link the project with the village gatherers to eliminate impurities and lower quality from the logistical system and the production chain.•	Chain effectsThis project will prove that industrial development inside an African country can add value to a typical African commodity which, up till now, is sold and exported in its crude form.Projects like this encourage young African professionals to get engaged in their local economy other than becoming a government official or the typical import-export business with little added value.•	EnvironmentThe Shea belt includes one of the most delicate eco systems along the desert where deforestation is a recognised problem.Actually only a small percentage of the fruits are collected and by this the mere existence of the tree has no large priority. As the shea nut market becomes more interesting, the urgency of preserving those trees in the arable fields becomes more important.When Shea nuts are pressed the butter is largely separated from the residual cake. This Shea cake still contains a considerable amount of Shea butter. Shea nuts cake can be used as industrial or household fuel in Mali if processing is done locally. Shea nut cake will create a local alternative fuel replacing wood and reducing deforestation.•	Position of womenShea nut trees are not planted as crops but are found indigenously in the Shea belt. As a field is cleared from vegetation to grow arable crops like millet, the shea trees (and some other species) are left in the field. Although the field and the trees are owned by man, Shea nut collection is a community activity dominated by women. By shortening the production chain and logistical costs this project can be competitive in the international Shea nut market while still paying more to the original gatherers. Culturally it is known that Shea money is considered woman's cash.The improvement of the market for Shea nuts will directly feed into this domestic privilege.Four women will be hired for high-level positions in the joint venture. The project partners will establish the first professional shea nut processing factory in Mali with the aim of producing 500 tons per year of food grade quality shea butter for the chocolate industry.