The African haircare market is projected to expand by $1.2bn between 2024 and 2028, according to a research report by Technavio.
The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 6.78 per cent during the forecast period.
The report highlights that the growth is primarily driven by products tailored to the diverse hair types across the continent, with a notable rise in haircare start-ups led by regional women entrepreneurs.
However, the prevalence of counterfeit products, particularly in East Africa, poses a significant challenge to the market’s expansion.
Technavio’s findings also underscore the impact of innovative product offerings introduced by women entrepreneurs in the African haircare space.
For example, Ciara Imani May launched Rebundle in 2021, offering synthetic hair options such as “Braid Better,” made from banana fibres, as a sustainable alternative to plastic-based hair extensions.
Similarly, in 2022, Gwyneth Addo founded Crowning Glory, providing high-quality hair extensions in Ghana.
Maeva Heim’s Bread Beauty Supply, which debuted in 2020, has also contributed to market growth by offering a range of haircare products, including shampoos, conditioners, and oils specifically designed for Black hair.
“These emerging start-ups are meeting the unique haircare needs of African consumers, further fueling the market’s expansion,” the report stated.
According to the report, the African haircare market is thriving, with popular products including shampoo, conditioner, oil, serum, hair colouring, and various hair styling products like wax, hair sprays, and gels.
“The shampoo segment dominates, with cleansing hair being a key concern for consumers. Hair health issues such as hair loss, premature greying, and dandruff are common concerns, driving demand for hair “oils, conditioners, and hair colours. Hair styling services in salons, supermarkets, pharmacies, and online stores cater to diverse needs.
“Hair health is influenced by factors like blood circulation, infection & itching, stress, anxiety, pollution, and ultraviolet sun rays.
“Alopecia areata and other hair loss conditions are also prevalent, fueling demand for cosmetology services.
E-commerce platforms offer convenience for purchasing haircare essentials. Hair styling tools like hair straighteners and curlers are also popular,” it said.
The African haircare market presents significant opportunities for businesses, with popular products including shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, hair colours, hair serums, hair wax, hair sprays, hair styling gels, and hair styling tools like hair straighteners and curlers.
According to the report, challenges in this market include access to quality products due to limited distribution networks, high pollution levels, and the presence of medical conditions like dandruff, dull hair, alopecia areata, and infection & itching.
“Pharmacies, beauty salons, and online stores are key sales channels. Cosmetology services, e-commerce, and social media are also growing trends.
“Key ingredients for anti-dandruff shampoos include pyrithione zinc, tea tree oils, neem, basil, rosemary oil, and cedarwood.
“Factors affecting hair health include blood circulation, stress, anxiety, and ultraviolet sun rays. The hair care segment also caters to medical conditions caused by heredity and ageing,” the report said.