Africa’s beauty and personal care industry is undergoing a transformation for the increased consumer demand, increased domestic manufacturing, and international brands entering the market. As this market evolves, a need for effective regulatory frameworks is evident to provide assurance of the safety, efficacy, and quality of cosmetic products. The objective of this guide is to discuss the complex regulatory environment of the continent, offering a view of the specific regulations by the country and the authorities that monitor compliance.
Cosmetic regulations play a very important role in protecting both public health and consumer rights in Africa. Given the differences in climate, skin types, and cultural practices between African countries, a localized regulatory framework is required. Proper regulation ensures that forged or harmful products are effectively managed, encourages transparency in the industry, and allows for international trade as local standards reflect international best practices.
Despite the African Union and regional economic communities prompting harmonization, cosmetics regulations are still the responsibility of each national authority. Below is a list of some of the main regulatory authorities that ensure safety and compliance of cosmetics in key markets across Africa.
SAHPRA is responsible for regulating cosmetic products that claim a therapeutic and/or medicinal effect i.e. anti-ageing creams, acne treatments, etc. Therapeutic or medicinal claims that can be made for cosmetic products are regulated by SAHPRA. But general cosmetics do not come directly under SAHPRA's supervision. Regardless, there are requirements which all general cosmetics are required to comply with- they must comply with requirements from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). Cosmetic manufacturers are legally bound to the Consumer Protection Act and the Labelling Regulations that look after claims and whether ingredients are safe for use.
NAFDAC is the highest regulatory body for cosmetics in Nigeria and requires registration of all cosmetics products manufactured locally and imported into the country before they can enter the market. The agency has standards and guidelines related to product composition, product labeling, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). NAFDAC's efforts to crack down on unregistered and substandard products have intensified in recent years due to increased scrutiny about traceability and adherence to safety standards.
KEBS regulates the cosmetics industry in Kenya through the Standards Act. This act defines the measures to ensure the safety of each product, what information must be labeled, the shelf-life (if applicable), and conditions for packaging. KEBS has developed a full suite of National Standards and one pertinent standard is KS 2630. KEBS requires all imports of cosmetics to be inspected and certified within the Pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) program. Compliance of locally manufactured products protects against exposure to harmful substances for consumers, and protects against misleading information for consumers and the industry.
In Ghana, the FDA is responsible for regulating and overseeing the use of cosmetics. All cosmetics must be registered and approved to be distributed. It reviews the safety of cosmetic products, assesses the labelling and or effectiveness and reviews the manufacturing practices. The FDA is also engaged in educating consumers and traders on the dangers of skin bleaching agents and other toxic ingredients. Essentially, the FDA is highlighting informed decision-making as a part of their regulatory approach.
Morocco’s cosmetics regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, which collaborates with the National Laboratory for the Control of Medicines to assess product safety and quality. All cosmetics must comply with the Law No. 28-07 on the Safety of Products and Services, and companies are required to submit detailed product information files. Regulatory emphasis is placed on post-market surveillance and ingredient transparency, particularly for products with imported raw materials.
Understanding how cosmetic products are classified is the base to navigating regulatory compliance in Africa. Each country applies its own legal definitions and thresholds for what qualifies as a cosmetic, often aligning with international frameworks like those of the EU, FDA or WHO. Broadly, cosmetic products are those intended for external application on the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance, without affecting the body’s structure or functions.
While definitions vary slightly from country to country, African regulatory agencies commonly define cosmetics as substances or mixtures intended for external use on the skin, hair, nails, lips, or external genital organs, and solely for cosmetic purposes such as cleaning, perfuming, changing appearance, or correcting body odors. Importantly, these products must not make therapeutic claims, as doing so could reclassify them as pharmaceuticals, subject to far stricter regulatory scrutiny.
The regulatory boundary between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals is determined by a product’s intended use, claims, and composition. For example, a moisturizer is classified as a cosmetic, but if it claims to treat eczema, it may fall under pharmaceutical regulation. African regulatory bodies, such as SAHPRA and NAFDAC, pay particular attention to marketing language and functional claims. Brands that overstep into therapeutic territory without appropriate drug registration risk regulatory penalties, market recalls, or product bans.
The emergence of cosmeceuticals, products that mount the line between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, presents a regulatory challenge in Africa. These products often claim both aesthetic and therapeutic benefits but may lack formal classification under existing national laws. Similarly, the growing popularity of “natural” and “organic” cosmetics has outpaced regulatory definitions, leading to inconsistent enforcement and potential consumer misinformation. Authorities are increasingly looking to close these grey areas through clearer labelling requirements and expanded regulatory scopes.
The regulatory environment for cosmetics in Africa is marked by both complexity and promise. While businesses must navigate a patchwork of national regulations, this evolving landscape offers substantial room for ethical brands to lead.
One of the foremost challenges for cosmetics companies operating in Africa is the lack of a unified regulatory framework. Each country enforces its own standards, procedures, and documentation requirements, making cross-border trade cumbersome and compliance costly. Even within regional trade blocs such as ECOWAS or EAC, harmonization efforts remain limited, requiring brands to adjust their approach to each jurisdiction.
Although the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers long-term hope for harmonized trade protocols, the cosmetics industry still lacks a centralized body to establish unified regulatory norms. This fragmentation not only creates inconsistencies in product safety and labelling but also hampers regional manufacturers from scaling efficiently. The absence of shared guidelines slows innovation and deters smaller brands from entering multiple markets.
Despite these challenges, the regulatory landscape offers an upperhand to companies that prioritize compliance, ethical sourcing, and transparent communication. Brands that proactively register their products, maintain high safety standards, and educate consumers on proper use, build stronger reputations and foster trust. As African regulators modernize their systems, compliant businesses will be well-positioned to influence policy, shape industry norms, and expand sustainably across the continent.
As the cosmetics industry in Africa matures, the need for harmonized regulatory standards has never been more urgent. Regional bodies like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Organisation for Standardization (ARSO) are emerging as catalysts for change. Their collaborative efforts aim to streamline product registration, reduce non-tariff barriers, and create a shared framework that ensures safety without limiting innovation.
AfCFTA, by facilitating tariff-free movement of goods across 50+ member states, lays the groundwork for a more integrated cosmetics market. ARSO complements this by working with national standards authorities to establish unified guidelines that can be adopted continent-wide. Their role is critical, not only in ensuring product consistency and quality, but also in making regulatory navigation less burdensome for businesses looking to expand beyond their domestic markets.
Africa’s cosmetics industry stands at a crossing, caught between a fragmented regulatory present and a harmonized, opportunity-rich future. For stakeholders across the value chain, from manufacturers to importers, the path forward lies not in avoiding regulation but in mastering it. Those who understand and anticipate the shifting regulatory currents will not only protect consumers but also define the next era of African beauty. So compliance here is a strategic advantage.