Nigeria spends over $1.1bn on cosmetics as import bill fuels local manufacturing push
Nigeria’s cosmetics import bill, estimated at over $1.1 billion, is intensifying calls for stronger local manufacturing and value addition in the sector, as policymakers and industry experts push for reduced dependence on imports.
Nigeria’s cosmetics import bill, estimated at over $1.1 billion, is intensifying calls for stronger local manufacturing and value addition in the sector, as policymakers and industry experts push for reduced dependence on imports.
This was revealed at the media parley hosted by Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, director general, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RRMRDC,in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to the DG/CEO, “The council is prioritising policies aimed at compelling local processing of raw materials to stimulate industrial growth and reduce import reliance.”
He said the proposed 30 percent value addition framework is central to repositioning Nigeria’s manufacturing base, ensuring raw materials are processed locally before export rather than being shipped out in raw form.
The development comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s $1.1 billion cosmetics import bill recorded in 2023, alongside over $50 million spent on importing petroleum jelly, a key input in cosmetic production.
Edith Gibson, founder, Tropical Derma Research and Training Institute TDRTI, who spoke to BusinessDay on the sidelines of the parley, said the figures reflect a structural gap in domestic production capacity, particularly in skincare products designed for tropical environments.
She explained that most cosmetics sold in Nigeria are formulated for non tropical regions and do not adequately respond to skin conditions linked to high ultraviolet exposure.
According to her, this mismatch has contributed to growing demand for corrective skincare solutions, presenting a significant opportunity for local manufacturers.
Gibson said TDRTI has compiled data from over 40,000 documented cases in Nigeria to support the development of climate specific formulations, with plans to scale into industrial production
Ike-Muonso said the RMRDC 10 year raw materials roadmap, developed in partnership with the African Development Bank, AfDB and other stakeholders, targets between 30 and 95 percent value addition across priority sectors by 2034.
He added that the council is also advancing innovation through initiatives such as the Raw Materials Innovation Challenge and partnerships with tertiary institutions to strengthen research and development capacity.
He said the overall strategy is aimed at strengthening local industries, creating jobs, and building globally competitive value chains.
Analysts say aligning skincare manufacturing with Nigeria’s value addition agenda could open a new industrial segment, reduce foreign exchange outflows, and support the country’s shift from raw material exports to finished goods production.
The development reflects growing consensus among policymakers and industry players on the need to leverage local research and resources to retain more value within the economy.
