Zimbabwe’s Cosmetics Import Bill Tops US$140 Million

Makeup products and cosmetics

HARARE – Zimbabwe has spent more than US$140 million importing beauty, cosmetic and personal care products over the past five years, raising concerns within government about the growing pressure on the country’s foreign currency reserves.

Data covering the period 2021 to 2025 shows that beauty and personal care items account for a notable portion of Zimbabwe’s import bill, with makeup and skincare products taking the largest share. According to the figures, Zimbabwe spent US$43.6 million on makeup and skincare products during the five years. Other high-value imports included petroleum jelly, which cost about US$13.6 million, while dentifrices, including toothpaste and related dental hygiene products, accounted for approximately US$20 million.

Imports of perfumes, deodorants, and antiperspirants amounted to US$16.4 million, while human hair and wigs contributed another US$8.5 million to the import bill. Meanwhile, eyebrows and false eyelashes alone were valued at about US$22 million over the same period. Additional personal care imports included bath salts valued at US$3.2 million, sunscreen at US$1.9 million, and shower gels also at roughly US$1.9 million.

A variety of smaller but still significant cosmetic imports contributed to the overall bill.

These included hair waving and straightening products worth US$2.6 million, hairstyling and grooming products valued at US$2 million, cosmetic powders costing US$888,268, and shampoo imports worth US$833,614. Even products with relatively modest individual values added to the country’s growing import expenditure. These included lip makeup valued at US$330,205, eye makeup worth US$164,160, manicure and pedicure sets costing US$82,205, and dental floss imports valued at US$72,395.

In 2025 alone, Zimbabwe spent US$9.6 million on makeup, US$8.2 million on hair extensions, weaves, and false eyelashes, and about US$2.9 million on perfumes. Overall, the country’s cosmetics, wigs, toiletries, and grooming products import bill reached nearly US$29.9 million in 2025, highlighting the continued demand for these items despite ongoing foreign currency constraints.

Mangaliso Ndlovu, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, said the government is increasingly concerned about the foreign currency drain caused by importing products that could potentially be produced locally.

“It is not just the non-essentials that worry us. We are also worried about the essentials that we have the capacity to produce locally,” Ndlovu said.

The minister added that the government is working on policy measures aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.

“We are most likely going to table our Industrial Policy this coming Tuesday for approval by Cabinet, which will go a long way in addressing these issues,” he said.

Authorities believe the upcoming industrial policy could help encourage local production of personal care and cosmetic products, which could reduce imports, create jobs, and retain foreign currency within the country. Zimbabwe has previously identified manufacturing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care goods as sectors with potential for import substitution, particularly under the country’s broader industrialisation strategy.

Zimbabwe cosmetics imports