We are pleased to announce our Hero Spotlight of the Month: 2023 ABH Top 10 Hero- Christina Gyisun. Christina is the co-founder and CEO of Sommalife Ltd., a social enterprise leveraging technology to create a transparent and traceable shea value chain. Growing up in Ghana's Upper West Region, she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by local shea producers, including limited market access and inadequate compensation which then led to the co-founding of Sommalife in 2020.
Sommalife has significantly impacted the shea industry in West Africa by empowering rural women farmers, connecting over 15,000 women to markets, resulting in a 22% increase in income for local producers. The company has also raised more than 100,000 seedlings and protected over 1,500 acres of shea parklands in the Upper West Region.
In July 2024, Sommalife attracted an investment from Wangara Green Ventures, an impact investment firm that will enable the company to scale its operations, expand its reach, and strengthen its support systems for rural farmers, particularly women, in the shea value chain.
By December 2024, the company secured €440,000 in debt financing from Kampani, a Brussels-based social impact fund. This funding is a major milestone for the company, as it allows for the acquisition of critical transportation assets to address logistical bottlenecks. These improvements are expected to enhance the efficiency of moving raw and processed shea products from rural areas to markets, reduce spoilage, and ensure timely delivery to buyers.
Sommalife’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Congratulations to Christina and Sommalife on the remarkable achievements from all of us in the ABH community.
