Africa: A Promising Land For Hair Business Owners

Among different continents, Africa emerges as a promising land for hair business owners including importers and exporters.

Convenience, benefits, and great beauty are the main reasons explaining why many women in Africa choose to buy hair extensions. Therefore, in the current era, the prevalence, growth of human hair and the consumption of hair extension are increasingly witnessed. 

All proofs for the above statement will be in this article.

Overview of Africa

Africa is the world’s second and second largest continent (after Asia) and has the youngest population.

In addition, because they are the longest inhabited continent, they are also known to be the most genetically diverse continent. In addition, it is also home to the most ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse in the world.

However, because of its long and complicated history of origin, Africa is often underestimated by the global historical community.

Despite this, the recent expansion and development of economic sectors and a young population have made Africa one of the critical financial markets globally.

The growth potential of the hair industry in Africa

To prove the saying that Africa is the promised land for hair business owners, let’s first take a look at some of the great potential in this continent.

African countries thrive on the hair industry

It is easy to see that women everywhere love beauty and have a need to change hairstyles regularly. 

African women, too, change their hairstyles on average 6 to 12 times a year. 

Accordingly, it has opened up an enormous business opportunity for beauty businesses, especially the hair industry. This led to the birth of a billion-dollar industry. 

This trend is widespread in Nigeria, South Africa, and Cameroon (most countries are in Africa).

Beauty needs of consumers

The hair industry is leading the fashion trend. The main reason why the hair import market is booming in Africa is that millions of people, mainly women, are in need of this hair type.

Women in Africa think it’s time for them to spend money to buy hair and beautify themselves.

It is not by chance that hair extensions receive such love. It’s simply that consumers have a desire to change their hairstyle according to the prevailing trends and they want to find an option that makes them look great… And hair extensions fulfill all of those needs well.

Influenced by the development of fashion

In developing economies, urbanization is taking place rapidly, along with the increasing influence of Western fashion.

Accordingly, the demand and market for human hair in Africa is likely to continue to grow and develop.

Top Hair Extensions Suppliers

Ever wondered where all the human hair imported into Africa comes from?

In the current day, there are three big hair exporters supplying hair extensions across the world in general and to Africa in particular. 

If not, let’s take a close look at the hair resources available in thousands of shops, markets, and salons across the continent.

India

India is one of the largest developed countries in the human hair industry and exports up to 400 million USD per year.

With a population of about 1.3 billion people, including more than 600 million women, it is certainly the country with the ability to provide the top hair on a global level.

Most hair of Indian origin comes from rural villages or temples. 

Because it is home to Hindu female pilgrims, they often shave their hair as a sacrifice, or as part of an annual ritual to show their devotion to the gods.

The hair they provide is all-natural, high quality, and chemically untreated hair.

Some of the hair here is packaged and sent to Africa. In addition, a large part goes to Europe and the United States – where the demand for human hair is also very large.

The Indian hair supply to Africa consists of two main types of hair. They are Remy and Non-Remy

• Remy hair: Remy hair is usually obtained from temples, and is the highest grade of human hair. This hair type retains its natural look with the cuticles intact.
• On the other hand, Non-Remy hair has cuticles that do not point in the same direction. Therefore, it needs hydrochloric acid treatment to remove the cuticle which reduces the quality of the hair before exportation.

Indian women’s hair is characteristically curly. Because the climate here is mostly dry and hot. 

The price of hair is cheaper for that reason, but they are even more suitable for the pocket of the vast majority of consumers with moderate-income but still want to beautify themselves.

Until now, Indian hair has been mainly obtained from legal sources, from women who voluntarily donate their hair.

China

China has the world’s largest population with 1.4 billion people, of which about 50% are women. 

On the other hand, like India, this is also a country with the ability to export huge hair to the world hair market at a price so cheap that buyers can’t believe it. 

You can find a variety of hair types at affordable prices when choosing from this supply.

It is worth mentioning here that the majority of human hair is voluntarily donated by women, poor Chinese women, often in the countryside, who sell their hair in exchange for a living expense. 

The human hair industry in China is vibrant and one of the biggest top suppliers in Africa. Nigerians, Ghanaians, Congolese… all cooperate with many hair suppliers in this country.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a country with 54 different ethnic groups, each of which has its own unique and impressive culture and identity.

It is this difference in ethnic composition that has contributed to creating a very diverse, rich, and unique beauty for the national culture.

Realistic assessment of the hair industry is always diverse and rich with all kinds of designs, from Remy to non-Remy hairs. There are many factors leading this country to be at the forefront of the trend of exporting the best quality human hair to the global market. 

It cannot be denied that the Vietnamese hair market is currently extremely vibrant and highly competitive.

With the characteristics of natural and shiny long black hair, meticulously processed by longtime hairdressers. 

Manufacturers in Vietnam promise to be the leading hair supplier in the country, ensuring to satisfy even the most demanding customers’ needs.

Origin of Vietnam hair extensions

In Vietnam, hair extensions are produced from 100% natural Vietnamese hair. They are mostly gathered from Vietnamese women who reside in mountainous places. Sometimes, hairs are also collected from women who donate their hair to charities. Those women usually reside in the mountainous areas in the northern regions of Vietnam. These regions are Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Lang Son and many other provinces. 

These women are from 16 to 40-50 years old, and in their daily lives, they care for their hair using natural and herbal ingredients rather than shampoo and treatment items. As a result, their hair is strong, bouncy, and smooth. Female donors are from 16 to over 30, and the collected hair goes through the distribution phase before being formally moved to the production process to manufacture a beautiful hair extension or wig. The sources of hair come from such a limited location and donor, we can ensure that the hair quality is always excellent.

The quality of Vietnam hair extensions

Vietnamese hair companies take priority on quality, therefore, Vietnamese hair suppliers rarely sell Non Remy hair. In Vietnam, the two most common hair qualities are: virgin hair and remy hair.

Virgin hair: This hair is collected from only donor. Moreover, the hair was never chemically processed (no perms, hair color, etc.) and came from a donor with long, healthy hair. This hair is fairly pricey, but it lasts longer than Remy hair, therefore it is well worth the expense.

Remy hair: Hair is collected from several sources, with the root and tip going in the same direction to prevent the cuticle from tangling or matted. The cuticles are not peeled and continue to align in one direction.

If you want to start a hair business and import Vietnamese hair, you must understand profoundly about hair types and qualities of hair to properly distinguish hair products. 

The grade of Vietnam hair extensions

Vietnamese hair extensions have 3 different hair grades such as: single drawn, double drawn and super double drawn based on the thickness and the length of hair bundles.  

• Single drawn: 45-50 percent of the strands are the same length, the rest is mixed with shorter hair. 
• Double drawn: 60-70 percent of the strands are the same length. This is the most popular choice of African females because it has a comparatively lower price. 
• Super double drawn: 80-90 percent of the hair is the same length and considered the greatest quality Vietnamese hair bundles.

Why you should import Vietnam hair extensions

Superior hair quality

The source of hair extensions are natural. Therefore, hair is so durable, versatile, bouncy and silky. Moreover, the way Vietnamese people care for hair extensions is that they do not use chemical products, therefore, you can feel secure when using Vietnamese hair extensions. 

Affordable price

Certainly, price is one of the most noticeable factors which people consider before making decisions to import. 

The price of hair extensions is greatly competitive compared to other nations. But the hair quality of Vietnam deserves the investment. 

However, in general, the price of Vietnamese hair is reasonable because of 3 main reasons. Firstly, it is the low labor cost. Millions of people are employed in the hair industry. A large number of people working in this industry results in lower labor costs. Secondly, Vietnamese hair factories can provide a variety of hairstyles. Vietnamese hair companies provide a variety of models each year to meet the needs of customers in the Indian, American, and South African markets. Moreover, due to the high-skilled craftsmen and the adoption of innovative technology in manufacturing, the large number of hairs is always available to serve customers. Finally, it is the cheaper transportation cost.

Hair manufacturers in Vietnam are typically positioned close to the source of raw materials in order to reduce transportation expenses. Furthermore, in recent years, Vietnam’s logistics systems have been improved, resulting in lower transportation costs.

Here is the table price of each hair quality in Gruda Hair, you can refer to consider

The value chain of the hair business

In this part of the article, we will make it clear to you about the value chain in the human hair business and how to make the most money at different levels.

Sourcing

Sources of hair are where the human hair business starts. 

Collectors, are individuals or organizations, are the first to come into contact with human hair, whether donated or resale by the woman.

For example, in India, temples or rural areas are the main source of human hair. That’s also where a lot of money is made from the collected hair.

Or in some other countries, they often go to rural areas to collect hair from poor rural people, who often sell their hair for extra income.

All of these collected hairs are aggregated and shipped to specialized hair markets, where they are sold to exporters, processors, and intermediate collectors.

If you know the top of the supply chain, in other words, find and lead the way in sourcing hair from quality sources. You already have the first step toward success in the business of this field.

Procedure process

Most human hair collected is usually virgin hair, which means they have not been dyed or used chemicals or anything abrasive to treat the cuticle.

That’s why hair, in its natural or pure form, is so strong and healthy.

It is worth mentioning here that, due to market demand, a large part of collected human hair will be processed in various ways to increase the product’s profit margin.

You can easily find information about the top hair suppliers in the world thanks to the internet, and in most of these countries, there are hundreds of factories specializing in treating human hair.

The treatment goes like this:

• After sorting and measuring, the first step is rinsing, which is done by hand in giant water baths. 
• Next, the hairdresser will pull the hair through the long rows of thorns by hand to smooth it before tying it into neat bundles, each bundling about 200 strands. Of course, this job is not too easy.

• The hair will be soaked in chemical compounds for 20 days to remove pigments and full color.
• Finally, to make the product even more advanced, the hair will have polymer bonds attached to mimic the molecular structure of natural hair.

All these processes aim to increase the value of the final products, which will cost them more in the market.

Agents and Exporters

In exporting human hair, usually, the quantity of hair is in tons. 

One ton of hair is roughly equivalent to the hair of 3,000 women.

After hair treatment and classification, the products are packaged and labeled. 

There are many hair exporters in the world, and now they have expanded and entered the hair market of the African continent.

Importer, Wholesaler, Retailer

Most African entrepreneurs in the human hair business are at this level.

Here are the importers of human hair at the top of the value chain. They are traders or businessmen who come to China, India, and Vietnam – the top hair suppliers where importers buy and import back home.

The most significant human hair importers in Africa are Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Congo. Most of the goods they import to Africa are transported by air and sea.

When the imported products arrive, they are wholesalers who buy in bulk, then resell to retailers, and finally to consumers.

There are beauty salons owners in the retail segment of the human hair market. This is the place closest to the customer. 

Most women trust and buy hairdressing products from their favorite beauty salons and hair salons. 

Some of the salons in major African cities include Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, Kinshasa, and Nairobi…

How To Start A Hair Business

If you are interested in starting a new business, namely opening a beauty salon or a hair salon. Please study the following steps carefully, and I am sure they will be accommodating in your business process.

Write a Business Plan

Sure, start by writing a specific business plan.

A comprehensive business plan will include customer segments, channels (such as media), suppliers, necessary business relationships, revenue streams, costs, and resources.

In addition, you need to do enough market research to ensure that you can afford the business and maintain your establishment.

Make sure you have a checklist of hair salons to respond to opening a salon in your business plan.

Research the products

One of the most crucial tasks is to have a thorough understanding of the things you sell. You cannot run a hair business if you have limited product expertise because you do not know which types, quality, or colors of hair extensions would best suit your consumers. In many cases, you must also advise customers on which hair is best for them. Knowing the latest hair trends and styles allows you to assist consumers in finding the ideal hair extensions for their needs. You can make use of hair-care books and Internet hair-care forums to learn everything.

Determining Costs

• The cornerstone of any business plan is determining how much money you need to run your business.
• Operating expenses include rent, training, insurance, inventory, and service charges. Balance them together, and you will get a good profit.
• Besides, the operating cost is mainly decided by you and depends on the size and scope of your vision.

Document consideration

Insurance is legally required for most businesses.

• Business Licensing: Securing permits for all employees, check with the Occupational and Professional Licensing Division.
• Plan for health and fire safety checks.
• Pay Area Maintenance, or CAM, is the additional rent you need to pay the commercial property owner on top of the base rent.

However, it is always better to consult with business owners, colleagues, or local government members in your city or county for the best head start.

Choose a location and hire staff

• Many salons start as an affiliate of other salons. That means they move old employees to the new facility and take their customers with them.
• In particular, an essential part of choosing a location is making sure it’s centrally located, where there’s a lot of traffic and enough parking for your guests.
• Just as important as finding a suitable space, hiring employees has a significant impact on the course of your business.
• In the long run, you have to make the right choices.

Do marketing strategy

• Once you’ve prepared your business plan, completed the insurance application process, and are ready for the right location, it’s time to get some clients.
• For any customer, appreciate their feedback and encourage them to refer their friends to the facility. You will have a great marketing channel.
• It’s not just about attracting old customers, and it’s also essential to find ways to attract new customers and retain them. 
• Creating a website and communicating through social media is a great marketing solution that you should not miss.

Scale Up

• If you’re opening a salon or hair salon, you probably have a big vision of how it looks, works, and feels to customers.
• That process starts small, then grows and becomes more prominent. This will bring the best effect for both the space and the products you trade.
• However, even if you find yourself coming in on a low budget and still want to spend on high-end devices, don’t forget about some of the potential costs that go with it.

Ultimately, anyone who becomes a customer and comes back can demonstrate that they appreciate a sense of community and the quality and service they receive.

Choose the reliable supplier

There are numerous hair firms on the market nowadays, so it is critical that you research and choose a reputable one that can meet your needs and standards.

Among the steps, picking the trustworthy distributor is the most difficult task. Because, there are countless factors affecting your decision such as policy, currency exchange, shipping, payment, quality of products. 

FAQs

Is the hair business profitable in Nigeria?

From wigs to weaving to hair extensions, the business of importing human hair in Nigeria is more profitable than you might think.

Especially if you can connect with suitable foreign suppliers and master digital marketing know-how, I believe that you will get back excellent sales.

Is selling human hair profitable?

Human hair is a commodity that receives a lot of love and widespread use. Accordingly, learning how to start a business with human hair can be a highly profitable business. 

In addition, this type of hair is preferred over synthetic hair because it looks more natural and flexible, plus it can be styled with heat without damage.

How long does your hair have to be to sell it?

Most buyers will favor thick, healthy hair 10 inches or more in length. 

They also don’t want their hair to be dyed, bleached, permed, cut in layers, or subjected to heat.

On the other hand, if you smoke or drink alcohol, I believe your hair will also not be well priced.

What do you need to sell hair products?

Wholesalers often ask for copies of your business license, some personal information, and an estimate of how many hair products you intend to sell. 

In addition, they often sell the product to you at a discount of 10 to 50 percent off the retail price.

What type of market is a hair salon?

The hairdressing profession is also a good example of a monopolistically competitive market. 

What is a new business model?

It is characterized by interdependence rather than independence, where each part of the company contributes to value. 

This requires new roles for each part of the company to work together in new ways to keep the business going.

Conclusion

Please share this article with your friends if you found this article an interesting read.

To get more information about hair extensions and Vietnamese hair factories, do not hesitate to leave the comments below or contact us via this number (Ms. Rosa: Whatsapp: +84902106091).

Free free to contact Gruda Hair to have the best counseling and price.

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