How Zambia's Cosmetology Industry Could Transform Jobs and Entrepreneurship

By Alain Kabinda

On any given Saturday morning in Lusaka, the chairs in neighbourhood salons are rarely empty.

Young women patiently wait to have their hair braided. Men queue for fresh haircuts before weekend events. Nail technicians perfect manicures while makeup artists prepare brides for their special day. Shelves are stocked with locally made shampoos, lotions and hair products as beauty entrepreneurs work tirelessly to meet the growing demand for personal care.

Yet behind the mirrors, hair dryers and styling chairs lies an industry with enormous untapped potential—one that experts believe could become a powerful engine for job creation, entrepreneurship and economic growth if supported by the right policies.

That message took centre stage during the recent Cosmetology Expo organised by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development at ZCAS University in Lusaka. While the event celebrated innovation, creativity and talent in the beauty industry, it also sparked an important national conversation: Is Zambia overlooking one of its most promising sectors for economic transformation?

Cosmetology is often associated with glamour and fashion, but industry players argue that it is, above all, a business built on skills, entrepreneurship and livelihoods.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily News, Business Development and Marketing Expert and Co-Founder of CNC360 Consulting, Mr. James Chiwala, said cosmetology encompasses a broad spectrum of professional services, including hairdressing, barbering, skincare, makeup artistry, nail technology, spa treatments and other beauty and wellness services.

"Every hairstyle, manicure or facial represents more than a beauty service," Mr. Chiwala said. "It represents income for a small business owner, wages for an employee and spending that ripples through the wider economy."

One of the industry's greatest strengths, he explained, is its ability to generate repeat business.

Unlike many enterprises that struggle to retain customers, salons and barbershops enjoy consistent demand, with many clients returning every two or three weeks for hair care, grooming and beauty treatments. This provides business owners with a dependable source of income, enabling many salons to remain viable even during difficult economic periods.

"Beauty is not simply about appearance," Mr. Chiwala said. "It is about livelihoods. It is about giving people the opportunity to earn an income through skills they already possess."

He described cosmetology as one of the most accessible sectors for aspiring entrepreneurs because it requires relatively little start-up capital.

"Unlike manufacturing plants or large retail businesses that require millions of kwacha to establish, a salon can begin with something as simple as one chair, one wash basin and a few essential tools," he said.

From such modest beginnings, many entrepreneurs have grown their businesses into thriving enterprises employing several workers.

                                             (Mr. James Chiwala and one of the Participates)

"For thousands of young Zambians who are unable to secure formal employment, cosmetology provides a practical pathway into entrepreneurship," Mr. Chiwala said.

Instead of waiting for scarce salaried jobs, many young people are creating their own opportunities by cutting hair, braiding, applying makeup, offering nail services or operating mobile beauty businesses. The flexibility of the industry also allows entrepreneurs to expand gradually by reinvesting profits into their businesses.

Across urban centres and rural communities, women own and manage thousands of salons, beauty parlours and cosmetic businesses. For many, cosmetology has become a pathway to financial independence, enabling them to support their families, educate their children and create employment within their communities.

"As Zambia pursues inclusive economic growth, supporting women-owned beauty businesses could deliver significant social and economic returns," Mr. Chiwala said.

Every bottle of shampoo sold has been manufactured, packaged, labelled and transported. Beauty products pass through manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and marketers before reaching consumers. Printing companies produce promotional materials, packaging firms manufacture bottles and containers, while photographers, fashion designers and bridal service providers all benefit from the industry's value chain.

Mr. Chiwala noted that an increasing number of Zambian entrepreneurs are now producing shampoos, lotions, soaps, hair oils and skincare products locally, reducing dependence on imports while creating new employment opportunities.

"Each link strengthens a growing value chain that supports multiple sectors of the economy," he said.

Despite its growing contribution, however, the industry remains largely informal.

Thousands of salons and beauty businesses operate successfully across the country, yet there is no comprehensive national policy framework governing professional standards, business development or regulation.

As a result, policymakers are unable to accurately measure the sector's size or its contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"Reliable data on industry revenues, employment levels and contribution to GDP remains limited because the sector is fragmented," Mr. Chiwala said.

He said the lack of reliable data also makes it difficult for the industry to attract investment, influence public policy or access specialised financing.

According to Mr. Chiwala, formalising the industry would improve standards while unlocking significant opportunities for growth.

He believes Zambia has the potential to transform cosmetology into one of its strongest small and medium enterprise sectors, provided coordinated interventions are implemented.

These include developing a comprehensive national policy framework, introducing professional standards and certification, expanding skills training programmes, improving access to affordable financing and supporting local manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products.

Mr. Chiwala also said, would complement government efforts to promote industrialisation, entrepreneurship and youth employment.

Perhaps the greatest misconception surrounding cosmetology, Mr. Chiwala observed, is that it is simply about beauty.

"In reality, it is about confidence, dignity and economic empowerment," he said.

"It is about the young barber supporting a family through his craft. It is about the salon owner who started with one chair and now employs several stylists. It is about the woman manufacturing locally made hair products that compete with imported brands. Above all, it is about thousands of small businesses quietly contributing to Zambia's economy every day." Mr. Chiwala said.

The recent Cosmetology Expo demonstrated that Zambia possesses the creativity, talent and entrepreneurial spirit needed to build a globally competitive beauty industry.

The challenge now is to provide the policy support, investment and recognition required to unlock its full potential.

If that happens, cosmetology will no longer be viewed merely as an industry that helps people look good. It will be recognised as a strategic sector capable of creating jobs, empowering communities and contributing meaningfully to Zambia's economic transformation.