In a world where beauty trends often overshadow cultural roots, Hamamat Montia stands as a proud symbol of Ghanaian tradition, entrepreneurship, and women’s empowerment. Popularly known as the “Shea Butter Queen,” she has transformed a simple indigenous product into a global cultural statement.
Who Is Hamamat Montia?
Hamamat Montia is a Ghanaian entrepreneur, cultural advocate, and former beauty queen widely recognized as the Shea Butter Queen of Ghana. She transformed traditional Ghanaian shea butter into a globally respected heritage brand rooted in authenticity and culture.
After winning Miss Malaika Ghana 2006 and Model of Africa Universe 2007, she shifted from modeling to cultural entrepreneurship, focusing on sustainable beauty, heritage preservation, and women’s economic empowerment.
What Inspired Her Shea Butter Journey?
The turning point came from a deeply personal moment.
In an interview, she recalled:
My business started when my 3-year-old returned from school and said she wanted long hair like Cinderella… I realised I had to become that role model.
That realization pushed her to share her culture boldly on social media. One video explaining traditional shea butter production unexpectedly went viral — and demand followed. What began as storytelling quickly evolved into a thriving business.
Early Skepticism and Breakthrough Success
Like many founders building something unconventional, she faced resistance.
• Some local communities questioned her vision.
• Others doubted she could commercialize traditional shea butter successfully.
Instead of retreating, she leaned into digital marketing and e-commerce. Within three days of launching online, her products sold out. International buyers embraced the authenticity of her brand, proving that heritage could compete globally.
Expanding the Vision: The Hamamat African Village
Growth did not stop at product sales.
To deepen cultural education and preserve indigenous knowledge, she established the Hamamat African Village — a cultural tourism destination in Ghana.
There, visitors experience:
• Traditional shea butter production methods
• Natural skincare treatments using earth-derived ingredients
• Education on ancestral African beauty practices
By blending tourism, culture, and commerce, the village strengthens local employment while reinforcing Ghana’s heritage economy.
Empowering Rural Women Through Shea Butter
At the heart of her enterprise are the rural women who power Ghana’s shea butter industry, and her business model ensures they benefit directly by prioritizing local sourcing, preserving traditional processing techniques, and creating sustainable income opportunities. Rather than industrializing the process, she elevates it — positioning ethical African entrepreneurship as both profitable and community-driven.
Viral Moments That Expanded Her Global Reach
Viral Moments That Expanded Her Global Reach
From Heritage to Global Brand
Hamamat Montia turned a personal inspiration into a thriving Ghanaian shea butter empire. She overcame local skepticism, leveraged digital platforms, and built the Hamamat African Village to preserve culture and empower women.
She demonstrates that:
• African tradition is a powerful global asset
• Local heritage products like shea butter can compete internationally
• Women-led African entrepreneurship thrives when authenticity and culture are central
Hamamat Montia is more than a former beauty queen. She is Ghana’s Global Shea Butter Ambassador, a cultural entrepreneur, and a trailblazer shaping the future of heritage-based business.
