From the wild to the bathroom cabinet: Africa's biodiversity entrepreneurs

Africa is home to a remarkable array of wild-harvested African cosmetic ingredients – from baobab and marula oils to frankincense resins and shea butter – that are quietly making their way into skincare, haircare, and fragrance products sold around the world. Behind this trade are African entrepreneurs who source sustainably from wild landscapes, support rural livelihoods, and contribute directly to global biodiversity conservation. This article profiles six of those companies and explores the growing international demand for traceable, ethically sourced African botanical ingredients.

The theme of this year’s International Biodiversity Day (22 May) is “acting locally for global impact.” It aims to highlight “that success in halting and reversing biodiversity loss hinges on the world’s ability to leverage the vital tapestry of local action.” 

A key but often unrecognised part of this local action is the harvesting and trade of wild species for human benefit. These local actions are directly contributing to Targets 5 and 9 of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) on the sustainable use of wild species, and indirectly to Targets on area-based conservation, business, and finance (Targets 3, 15, and 18 & 19, respectively).

Less widely known but nevertheless having a global impact is the harvesting of wild species across Africa for the cosmetics industry. From baobab to marula to shea, these species generate income and support rural livelihoods. However, the unsung heroes are the companies that enable this trade, connecting African landscapes to the global cosmetics industry.

Wild-harvested African ingredients at in-cosmetics Global 2026

At this year’s edition of the industry’s trade show, in-cosmetics Global, which took place last month in Paris, there were at least 18 exhibitors of wild-harvested ingredients from across Africa, including suppliers from Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. These companies are champions of local action for global biodiversity impact. Here is a selection of six African companies sourcing locally and selling globally:

Six African companies sourcing wild-harvested African cosmetic ingredients locally, selling globally

Bubune Africa (Ghana)

Bubune Africa (Ghana) specialises in raw, authentic African ingredients, including Shea, Cocoa Butter, Neem Oil, Baobab Oil, and Moringa Oil. In northern Ghana, they partner with women-led cooperative groups to ensure sustainable and inclusive sourcing. Applications include haircare, skincare, and baby and child-specific products.

African Agency for Arid Resources Limited (Kenya)

African Agency for Arid Resources Limited (Kenya) is a producer and exporter of wild cosmetic ingredients from East Africa, including the essential oils of Baobab, Frankincense, and Myrrh. The company is committed to sustainable sourcing and ethical biotrade (the sustainable trade of natural products). Their products are used in haircare, perfumes, fragrances, and skincare applications. 

Namib Desert Oils (Namibia)

Namib Desert Oils (Namibia) collaborates with local communities to source natural oils for the cosmetic industry, including Kalahari Melon, Mongongo, Marula and !Nara oils. The latter (pronounced with a click for the !) is a thorny creeper that grows along the Atlantic coastal desert. The oils extracted from its seeds can help to treat sensitive skin conditions.

Younis Aroma Ltd (Somalia)

Younis Aroma Ltd (Somalia) is based in northern Puntland, where it specialises in harvesting and processing Boswellia Frankincense resin and Commiphora Myrrh resin – natural aromatic gums or saps. The extracted oils are used for a wide variety of applications, including fragrances, toiletries, baby and child products, pet care, and colour cosmetics. The company’s slogan is “where nature, community, and commerce grow together.”

Sphile Holdings (South Africa)

Sphile Holdings cc (South Africa) offers an innovative animal-based bioactive oil called Vuyotide. This cosmetic ingredient is sustainably sourced from mopane worms – large edible caterpillars that feed mainly on the leaves of the Mopane tree. Its atty acids, vitamins, and natural antioxidants can be used in serums, creams, lotions, and hair oils. As a new exhibitor, they were looking for distributors in the Americas and Europe. 

Kaza Natural Oils (Zimbabwe)

Kaza Natural Oils (Zimbabwe) positions itself as a Southern African endemic-ingredient manufacturer, promoting the Big 5 among trees for cosmetics – Baobab, Kalahari Melon, Marula, Mongongo, and Ximenia – “where tradition beauty secrets, science, conservation of biodiversity and rural empowerment converge.” At in-cosmetics Global, they were specifically looking for distributors in China for their plant extracts, botanicals, essential oils, and aromatic oils. 

FairWild certification and the demand for traceable ingredients

Three of these companies – Kaza Natural Oils, Namib Desert Oils, and Younis Aroma – have FairWild certification, which assures global buyers and consumers that local collection practices are ecologically sustainable, socially fair, and commercially responsible. As evidenced by the growing interest in FairWild certification at the trade show, the global cosmetics industry is increasingly demanding traceable wild-harvested ingredients that contribute to biodiversity conservation and community empowerment.

The policy opportunity: enabling local action for global impact

Through responsible sourcing, the cosmetics industry’s ingredient value chains directly contribute to GBF Targets 5 and 9 by ensuring that the management, harvesting, use, and trade of African wild species are sustainable, legal, and beneficial to people globally. This speaks to the opportunities highlighted by this year’s International Biodiversity Day for governments across Africa to create enabling environments that foster the inclusive and meaningful participation of local communities in the harvesting and use of wild species by global industries such as cosmetics.

Frequently asked questions

What is wild harvesting in the context of African cosmetics?

Wild harvesting refers to the sustainable collection of plants, seeds, resins, and other natural materials from wild (non-cultivated) ecosystems. In Africa, species such as baobab, marula, frankincense, shea, and !Nara are harvested from natural landscapes and processed into oils, butters, and resins used in cosmetics globally.

What is FairWild certification?

FairWild certification assures buyers and consumers that wild-collected ingredients have been harvested in a manner that is ecologically sustainable, socially fair, and commercially responsible. It is administered by the FairWild Foundation and is increasingly required by global cosmetics brands seeking traceable, ethical sourcing.

Which African countries supply wild-harvested cosmetic ingredients?

A wide range of African countries supply wild-harvested cosmetic ingredients, including Ghana (shea, baobab), Kenya (frankincense, myrrh), Namibia (marula, !Nara, Kalahari melon), Somalia (frankincense, myrrh resins), South Africa (mopane worm bioactive oil), and Zimbabwe (baobab, mongongo, ximenia).

How does wild harvesting support biodiversity conservation?

When managed sustainably, wild harvesting creates direct economic incentives for local communities to protect and maintain natural habitats. It contributes to Targets 5 and 9 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) on the sustainable use of wild species and supports area-based conservation and community empowerment.

Dr Francis Vorhies is Director of the African Wildlife Economy Institute at Stellenbosch University.

A version of this article was published in the Cape Argus and can be viewed here.