How to Sell Cosmetics and Beauty Products to Africa: NAFDAC, Ghana FDA and More (2026)

Beauty is a fast-moving category in Africa, from skincare and hair products to fragrances and soaps. It is also a regulated one. If you plan to export cosmetics to Africa, registration with the national regulator usually has to be done before the goods arrive, and the regulators differ in what they ask for. This guide summarises what Nigeria's NAFDAC, Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority and Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board say on their own pages, where KEBS fits in, and how to prepare your documents so your first order is not held at the port.

Why cosmetics registration is the first step

In the three markets covered here, a cosmetic is treated as a product that must be registered or authorised by a health or food regulator. In Ghana, for example, the FDA's import guideline says unregistered products may face detention, seizure, disposal or re-export. Registration also takes time (NAFDAC's guideline gives a timeline of 120 working days from acceptance), so start before you sign a large order. For the wider picture, see standards and certification in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.

NAFDAC cosmetic registration in Nigeria

NAFDAC's Guidelines for Registration of Imported Cosmetics (document effective 1 June 2018, with a review date of 31 May 2023 shown on the document) set out the process. Key points from that document:

The applicant is typically a local importer or agent and must be a company incorporated in Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission. An applicant acting for a foreign manufacturer needs a Power of Attorney from the manufacturer.
The Power of Attorney must name the products, state authority to register the product with NAFDAC and be notarised in the country of manufacture, and it must be valid for at least five years.
Other documents include a notarised declaration, a certificate of manufacture and free sale authenticated by the Nigerian embassy or high commission, a certificate of analysis for the batch, evidence of Good Manufacturing Practice, evidence of trademark registration and the product label or artwork.
Each product needs a separate application form. After document screening NAFDAC issues an import permit; labels are vetted, laboratory samples are submitted and a product approval meeting follows.
A successful application receives a certificate valid for five years. Registration does not grant permission to advertise, which needs a separate application. Filing a form or paying a fee does not confer registration status.
The guideline gives a timeline of 120 working days from acceptance, with the clock stopping while compliance issues are outstanding.

NAFDAC has also published Cosmetic Products Registration Regulations, 2023. The text we read says cosmetics manufactured, imported, sold or advertised in Nigeria must be registered, that registration is valid for five years and can be renewed, and that changes to a registered product need prior approval. That text carries no commencement date on its face and mentions a 2023 consultation period, so confirm its status with NAFDAC. We are not quoting fees or penalties.

Ghana FDA cosmetics registration and import permits

Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) registers cosmetics under its own guideline (document FDA/MCH/CHC/GL-RCH/2019/01, version 02, first issued 1 February 2019). According to it:

A foreign company must appoint a local agent to submit the application, and the agent must be a company incorporated in Ghana.
The dossier includes completed forms and certificates of analysis stating key ingredients, and documents must be in English or fully translated.
Banned substances may not be ingredients; the guideline gives examples that include mercury-based products and hydroquinones, and products containing steroids are treated as drugs.
Samples must be in the final marketing package and have a minimum share of shelf life remaining.
Registration is valid for three years and can be renewed, with re-registration applied for at least three months before expiry.

Importing has a second layer. The FDA's guideline on import permits and clearance, effective 2 July 2025, says only FDA-licensed importers may bring cosmetics in, each consignment needs an electronic permit obtained before import, every consignment is physically inspected at the port and the FDA may detain cosmetics for laboratory testing, particularly for hydroquinone and its derivatives. It also says parallel importation is prohibited. Separately, the Ghana Standards Authority's import inspection page (published April 2018, last modified May 2018) lists cosmetics among 20 high-risk goods groups and says foreign-language labels must be translated into English; check whether that older page still reflects current practice.

Kenya: PPB, KEBS and what we could confirm

Kenya's Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) says on its marketing authorisation page that its Cosmetic Division handles regulation and marketing authorisation of cosmetic products, and that all "special cosmetics" must undergo regulatory scrutiny before being placed on the market, including evaluation of composition, safety data, manufacturing practices, labelling and claims. The page does not list the documents or steps. A news item dated 9 October 2023 reports that PPB and KEBS met to strengthen the cosmetic regulation framework following changes to East African Community cosmetic standards.

KEBS runs the pre-export verification programme (PVoC) for general goods; its manual version 15, dated 19 February 2026, makes certification before shipment the rule for general goods from listed countries. We could not confirm from KEBS's own pages whether a given cosmetic falls under PVoC, under PPB authorisation, or both, so we do not say. Ask PPB (and your Kenyan importer) which route your product follows.

Labels, languages and claims

Labels are a common cause of delay. NAFDAC vets labels before laboratory samples are accepted and refers to its cosmetics labelling regulations, Ghana's FDA refers to labelling requirements and treats non-conforming labels as non-compliant, and Ghana's GSA page requires foreign-language labels to be translated into English. Prepare label artwork early, avoid medical claims that could make a regulator treat the product as a drug (Ghana's guideline says products with therapeutic effects may be classed as drugs) and keep ingredient lists accurate. Our guide on labelling and packaging language in African markets covers formats for English- and French-speaking markets.

Documents to prepare before you approach a buyer

Certificate of free sale from your home regulator and evidence of Good Manufacturing Practice.
Certificates of analysis for each batch and a full ingredient list.
Trademark registration in the owner's name and any contract-manufacturing agreement.
Label artwork in English, checked for claims.
A notarised Power of Attorney or agency letter for the local registrant, where required.

Start with the market that offers the best wholesale demand for your range. Our guide on sourcing beauty and personal care from African manufacturers is useful context on locally made beauty brands when you think about pricing and positioning.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need NAFDAC registration to export cosmetics to Nigeria? NAFDAC's registration regulations text says cosmetics manufactured, imported or sold in Nigeria must be registered, and its import guideline describes the process. Confirm the current rules with NAFDAC before shipping.

Can a foreign cosmetics company register directly in Ghana? The FDA's guideline says a foreign company must appoint a local agent that is a company incorporated in Ghana to submit the application.

How long does cosmetic registration last? NAFDAC's imported cosmetics guideline gives five years, and Ghana's FDA guideline gives three years. Both can be renewed.

Is KEBS approval required for cosmetics in Kenya? We could not confirm this from KEBS's own pages. PPB says it handles cosmetics regulation and authorisation, so contact PPB and your importer.

Getting started

Read the primary documents: NAFDAC's imported cosmetics guideline, the Ghana FDA's cosmetics registration guideline and import permit guideline and the PPB marketing authorisation page. Then create a free Comilmart seller account, list your range with MOQs and tiered pricing, and let wholesale buyers order samples. You ship the goods yourself, and Comilmart does not handle registration, customs or delivery for you. Verified supplier status is optional but builds trust. Rules change, so confirm with the regulator before shipping.