Kombo Butter Impact Interview

This video is an interview about Baraka's partnership with Ghana's Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) to develop Kombo Butter as both an income generation opportunity for women in Ghanaian villages and an ecosystem conservation activity. Kombo Butter is made from the seed of the Kombo Tree, which grows naturally in cocoa forests — producing shade, supporting biodiversity, and contributing to the health of the wider forest ecosystem.

Despite the Kombo Tree's traditional significance and the properties of its butter, logistics, cost, remoteness, and limited market access had previously prevented Kombo Butter from reaching the global market in any meaningful way. Baraka's partnership with NCRC is designed to change that — creating a supply chain that brings Kombo Butter to international buyers while maximising social, economic, and environmental returns for the communities where it is sourced.

Every purchase of Baraka Kombo Butter supports women, families, and communities in Ghana through the dual impact of income generation and ecosystem conservation. Baraka sources Kombo Butter through a direct partnership that ensures producers receive fair value for their work, without intermediaries. Complete chain-of-custody documentation is available for any order, and the ingredient is processed without chemical extraction.

Kombo Butter is commonly used as a base ingredient in natural skincare formulations. It is traditionally used for dry skin and is valued for its texture and the way it works alongside other natural butters. You can read more about its origins, properties, and uses in the complete guide to Kombo Butter. For DIY formulators interested in understanding how to work with it, there is also a dedicated Kombo Butter DIY guide and recipe collection.

The Kombo Tree's role in the cocoa forest ecosystem is part of what makes this supply chain distinctive. The trees grow wild, providing shade for cocoa crops and supporting biodiversity. Harvesting the Kombo nuts does not require clearing or cultivating — making it one of the most environmentally integrated ingredient supply chains in Baraka's portfolio. Every purchase supports both the producers who harvest and process it and the forest systems that the Kombo Tree is part of.

To understand the full scope of Baraka's social and environmental commitments, you can read Baraka's Social and Environmental Impact Report. You can also learn more through these related resources: the Kombo Butter origin story, the fair trade story behind Baraka's ingredients, and what is Kombo Butter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kombo Butter?

Kombo Butter is a natural butter made from the seed of the Kombo Tree, which grows wild in the cocoa forests of Ghana. It is commonly used as a base ingredient in natural skincare and DIY formulations, traditionally valued for its texture and its compatibility with other natural butters. It is processed without chemical extraction. Baraka sources it through a direct partnership with Ghana's Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC).

What is the Baraka and NCRC partnership?

Baraka has partnered with Ghana's Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) to develop Kombo Butter as a commercial ingredient available to international buyers. The partnership is designed to create a supply chain that generates income for women and families in the communities where the Kombo Tree grows, while also supporting the conservation of the cocoa forest ecosystems the tree is part of. This video is an interview discussing the partnership, the ingredient, and the impact it is already having.

What makes the Kombo Tree supply chain distinctive?

The Kombo Tree grows wild in cocoa forests, producing shade that supports the health of cocoa crops and the broader forest ecosystem. Harvesting the nuts requires no cultivation or clearing — making it one of the most ecologically integrated ingredient supply chains in Baraka's portfolio. The dual benefit is that every purchase supports both the producers who harvest and process the ingredient and the forest systems the Kombo Tree is part of.

How can formulators source Kombo Butter from Baraka?

Baraka supplies Kombo Butter to DIY makers, formulators, and B2B buyers directly. The ingredient is processed without chemical extraction and comes with complete chain-of-custody documentation available for any order. Sourcing through Baraka means purchasing through a supply chain with a verified social and environmental impact record — not through commodity brokers. Contact Baraka directly for volume pricing and supply chain documentation.

What are the environmental benefits of Kombo Butter sourcing?

The Kombo Tree grows naturally in cocoa forests, where it provides shade and supports biodiversity. Harvesting the nuts for Kombo Butter does not require deforestation, cultivation, or chemical inputs — the trees are wild and the harvest is integrated into the existing forest ecosystem. Baraka's partnership with NCRC is explicitly designed to make Kombo Butter commercialisation a conservation activity, not a extractive one.

About the Author

Wayne Dunn is the founder of Baraka Impact and a former Professor of Practice in Sustainability at McGill University. He holds an M.Sc. in Management from Stanford and has spent over 15 years working directly with the Konjeihi Women's Enterprise Centre in Ghana's Upper West Region to source traditionally made shea butter and natural oils. He shares DIY skincare recipes and ingredient guides designed to be made at home with real ingredients — and sourced with full transparency about where they come from.