Africa’s beauty industry continues to soar and reach new heights. However, amid this laudable growth comes a myriad of challenges that are especially exacerbated by the weak international relations among African nations. According to a paper by the African Economic History Network, the roots of weak international relations among African countries can be traced back to the colonial era, when the arbitrary borders drawn by colonial powers did not reflect the continent’s ethnic and cultural boundaries, leading to numerous conflicts and a lack of cohesion. Post-independence, many African nations began to prioritize national sovereignty and economic self-reliance over regional cooperation, further entrenching the divisions.According to Open Knowledge Repository by the World Bank, trade among African nations is low, at about 16% of the continent’s total trade volume, which is much lower than the intra-regional trade levels in Europe (68%) and Asia (59%). This lack of a unified approach to trade and development has persisted, with many African countries maintaining protectionist policies to safeguard their nascent industries.These strained relationships create significant obstacles for industries and businesses, including the beauty sector, which depends on seamless cross-border trade and robust economic cooperation. This was one of the many challenges brands like Uncover Skincare, based in Kenya, had to face when looking to launch into other African countries, even though the country has proven to be a hotbed for growth.