Freditta Apeagyei, Founder of Nguvu Global Ltd, and Francesca Apeagyei, Co-Founder of the company, say their shea-based skincare business is creating economic opportunities for more than 1,000 women in Northern Ghana while promoting locally produced beauty products.
Speaking on Springboard Hangout with host Comfort Ocran, the entrepreneurs explained that Nguvu Global works directly with women involved in harvesting and processing shea nuts, building a growing value chain around one of Ghana’s most widely used natural products.
According to Freditta Apeagyei, the company was established to build a business around natural shea butter skincare products while recognising the women whose work sustains the industry. “Nguvu means strength. The name was derived from the women who produce the shea butter. They are strong, capable, and productive women who have gone through so much but still continue working,” she said.
She noted that the company currently produces a range of about thirteen skincare products made from shea and other natural ingredients, including refined and unrefined shea, black soap, charcoal soap, oils, shampoos, and conditioners. “We have dedicated pickers and producers. Some go to the plantations to pick the nuts, and others process them. The raw materials come from nature and are then sent to our production centre in Accra,” Freditta Apeagyei said.
Francesca Apeagyei explained that one of the brand’s best-selling shea products was discovered during a visit to Tamale, where she encountered a locally made formulation that stood out. “I tried it and said no way. I sent it to Freditta in the UK and told her she had to try it. When she tried it she said, what are we waiting for? There was something about the formulation that people needed to know about,” she said.
Beyond the commercial side of the business, the sisters added that the company has also undertaken community development initiatives in the areas where its shea raw materials are sourced.
According to them, the decision to build a preschool near one of the production sites came after observing that many women had to bring their young children to work because there were no nearby schools. “We decided to build a preschool for the factory workers’ children so that parents can drop them off and go to work safely,” she said.
The sisters added that they intend to continue expanding the shea value chain while creating more employment opportunities for women and supporting social initiatives in the communities where the business operates.
About Springboard Hangout
Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube.
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