Audience: First Lady Dominique Ouattara Shows Support for the Shea Industry

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the First Lady, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, received Mrs. Kouadio-Koné Minafoun Pinguey, President of the National Shea Federation of Côte d’Ivoire (FENKACI) and General Commissioner of the first National Shea Fair (SNKA), in an audience at her offices in Cocody.

Ms. Kouadio-Koné Minafoun Pinguey was accompanied by Mr. Berté Mamadou, Director General of the Cotton-Cashew-Shea Council; Mr. Frank Anderson, Special Advisor to the Director General; and Mr. Fabrice Hilaire, Coordinator of the National Shea Fair.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the National Shea Fair, as well as issues related to women’s empowerment in this sector.

Having come to thank the First Lady for agreeing to serve as the Honorary Patron of the National Shea Fair, Ms. Kouadio-Koné Minafoun Pinguey said she was particularly honored by this gesture of support. “I came to meet with her to thank her for agreeing to serve as the Honorary Patron of the National Shea Fair,” she explained following the meeting.

Scheduled for October 13 and 14 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire, this event aims to help promote the shea industry and its stakeholders. The discussion between the two leaders also focused on the role of women in the industry.

First Lady Dominique Ouattara shared several pieces of advice, particularly regarding support and guidance for women, with the goal of enabling them to better take advantage of the opportunities offered by the shea sector. “She gave me advice mainly about women, because we are truly focused on women’s empowerment,” said the National President of the Shea Association.

For Ms. Kouadio-Koné Minafoun Pinguey, this issue is of great importance, given that women play a central role in the various activities related to shea.

Through this hearing, the organizers reaffirmed their commitment to making the next edition of the National Shea Fair a platform for promoting the industry, with a particular focus on women’s economic empowerment.