Africa

Although cost-of-living crises have been putting pressure on consumers’ purchasing power in a number of countries in Middle East and Africa, they can also provide momentum for consumer health sales. Some consumers, unable to afford visits to a…

Uganda’s economy saw real GDP growth of 5% in 2023 and this provided a boost to sales of some consumer health products. Self-medication is driving growth in consumer health in Uganda as consumers are finding it easier and cheaper to purchase…

A high rate of inflation, averaging 30% in 2023, forced consumers to cut down on spending on non-essential items, and even to reconsider the food they purchased to reduce their expenditure. Rx medications continued to be widely purchased under the…

In 2023, urbanisation, population growth and health and wellness drove retail sales. Most consumers self-medicated as the cheaper option and due to limited access to doctors outside of key cities. An overburdened public health sector and expensive…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

Demand for wound care is muted, compared with most other consumer health products in 2023. Consumers typically buy these products on a need basis, with only higher-income consumers keeping basic wound care items at home for potential emergencies. As…

Values sales continued to be low for weight management and wellbeing, but there was healthy growth. Obesity is a growing issue in Cameroon and this supported value and volume growth. Also, culturally, curvier women were traditionally perceived as…

With the fear of the pandemic subsiding and the escalating cost of living seeing consumers prioritising essentials, the demand for vitamins has witnessed a deceleration in growth. While still favoured by higher-income consumers, the majority of…

Paediatric consumer health registered moderate current value growth in 2023, partly supported by continuing population growth. Essential consumer health products such as cough, cold and allergy remedies, as well as analgesics, were the most popular…

Herbal/traditional product registered a marginal fall in current value sales in 2023. While the older generation have always favoured herbal/traditional products, among the younger generation, there exists a level of scepticism regarding their…

Poor drinking water is leading to serious digestion problems, with consumers often for instance suffering from diarrhoea, due to the substandard water supply. This is being further exacerbated by climate change, which is leading to increased water…

The growth of dietary supplements decelerated due to a shift in consumer behaviour back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns, characterised by reduced emphasis on vitamins and dietary supplements. Additionally, the escalating cost of living is placed…

Skin diseases across all age groups continues to drive growth for dermatologicals. Skin diseases are common in rural areas due to poor hygiene and in urban areas due to overcrowded neighbourhoods, with many having no access to proper sanitary…

Locally preferred alternatives, like consuming honey, ginger, and lemon infusions, enjoy widespread popularity among the locals. In households with lower incomes, natural remedies often take precedence as the initial choice before resorting to…

Cameroon was not as affected by the energy crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine as many other countries. Rising global energy prices gave a boost to government coffers and helped stabilise the economy. However, ongoing civil conflict, as well as…

The depreciation of the local currency made imports more expensive at the end of the review period. This had a significant impact on the supply of and demand for imported products, in a country where the majority of medication is imported.…

Consumers are increasingly embracing self-medication, especially for minor illnesses, and this contributed to modest growth in 2023, as well as continuing population growth. Analgesics have achieved a substantial penetration rate in Cameroon,…

In adhesive bandages, new technologies and delivery formats have been introduced. Waterproof adhesive bandages have gained popularity, offering protection in wet environments and during activities like swimming. Furthermore, there has been a rise in…

Wound care exhibited modest volume growth in 2023. In the inflationary climate, local brands have emerged as the preferred choice for consumers in lower income brackets, owing to their affordability and accessibility through traditional distribution…

Overweight and obesity have witnessed a surge in Nigeria, particularly in urban areas where the consumption of processed, unhealthy foods high in fats and calories is prevalent. Consequently, there has been an increased demand for OTC medications to…

Weight loss supplements accounted for the largest proportion of sales in 2023, partly due to the wider availability of brands and higher unit prices compared to slimming teas. With the rising cost of living, consumers are shifting their expenditure…

During the outbreak of COVID-19, consumers were buying vitamin products as a preventive measure. In addition, there was a widespread belief that Vitamin C could enhance the immune system and reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, with the…

Vitamins is witnessing healthy volume growth in 2023 despite high inflation. Rising health consciousness in Kenya, which was bolstered by the pandemic, is leading to increased demand for vitamins. Multivitamins are one of the most popular products,…

In Kenya, sports nutrition is rapidly advancing and enjoyed robust current value growth in 2023. This momentum is driven by the rising health and wellness trend, with individuals increasingly acknowledging the importance of a healthy lifestyle and…

Sales of paediatric consumer health products are driven by parents being inclined to invest more to secure the best medication for their children, especially for infants. In this context, imported brands hold greater appeal as they are often…

When the health of their children is concerned, Kenyan parents are generally hesitant to take risks and experiment with new brands. They tend to adhere to established brands that have undergone thorough testing and come highly recommended by medical…

Herbal/traditional products remain a popular consumer health category amongst Nigerian consumers and continued to perform well in 2023. Traditional medicines hold a significant role in Nigeria, with many traditional remedies passed down through…

Despite the increased use of systemic medication, herbal/traditional products are popular among Kenyans and are available through both formal and informal channels. In some instances, herbal/traditional products are perceived as more effective than…

Overcrowding and poor hygiene standards in certain areas of the country have increased the prevalence of cataracts, glaucoma and trachoma, a potentially blinding eye disease caused by bacterial infection. This has led to an increase in demand for OTC…

Inadequate sanitation and hygiene significantly contribute to digestive problems among consumers. Rural areas face even greater challenges in accessing clean water, exacerbating the issue. While some urban regions also contend with these issues,…

Digestive remedies continues to witness value growth in 2023, aided by inflationary-led price increases. An ageing population is also supporting volume sales as older people are more likely to have digestive problems. However, unhealthy diets are…

Consumers are becoming more conscious of the significance of maintaining a balanced diet, recognising that modern lifestyles, characterised by long work hours and frequent dining out, often contribute to unhealthy eating habits. Consequently,…

There is a growing awareness of the significance of a balanced diet and the role that dietary supplements can play in addressing deficiencies. Lifestyle changes, longer work hours and a lack of time for nutritious meal preparation are prompting more…

Climatic and social conditions drive the sale of paediatric dermatologicals products in Nigeria. As well as being more sensitive to environmental factors than adults, children’s lifestyles expose them to conditions that lead to skin problems,…

While overall consumer awareness of skin diseases and infections is increasing in Kenya, there remain areas where stigma persists, creating a reluctance among consumers to seek help. For instance, vaginal antifungals are linked to the stigma of…

On a landscape featuring local and international brands, consumers can access a wide array of choices. Brands like Emzolyn and Exiplon are popular among individuals with lower disposable incomes, while international counterparts, including Benylin,…

A prevalent issue in cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies is the misuse of cough syrups, often through self-medication with OTC products. To address this concern, a regulatory framework has been implemented restricting the distribution of…

The harsh economic environment continued in 2023, challenging retail value sales in Nigeria and bolstering the use of counterfeit options in consumer health. However, barriers to healthcare increased the self-medication trend, driving the sale of OTC…

Consumer health is expected to register healthy current value growth in 2023, although constant value growth is expected to grow only marginally. Kenyans are moving away from seeking healthcare services at hospitals and are keen to self-medicate,…

Analgesics remains the largest category in consumer health in Nigeria. Sales continued to rise in 2023, supported by strong brand positioning and consumer awareness. Other factors driving growth included affordability, widespread availability and a…

Analgesics experienced a rise in unit prices due to inflationary pressure, which pushed up the price of imported medications and locally-produced options. Current value growth accelerated in 2023 as a result of this trend. Brand loyalty remains…

In 2023, Ghana is witnessing inflation, leading consumers to choose more affordable options like herbal/traditional products due to their more affordable prices. Similar to other sub-Saharan African markets, the use of herbal/traditional products is…

For many consumers wound care items are considered non-essential and appear rarely in monthly grocery shopping baskets. Wound care products are rarely bought in high volumes or even on a regular basis. Consumers who purchase wound care products only…

Despite the tough economic conditions in South Africa in 2023, consumers remain dedicated to their health and wellbeing. As such, they are still prioritising activities such as going to the gym, outdoor sports and taking a walk after work, with even…

During the review period, more consumers have prioritised their skin care. Despite the economic difficulties, consumers are still purchasing skin care products as there are various skin care ranges both locally and internationally that have a wide…

For many sports enthusiasts, sports nutrition is a vital part of their daily nutritional routine. Many consumers who use sports nutrition are generally active gym users or even play a sport. Sports nutrition products provide those who are exercising…

In South Africa, many consumers take their mental health very seriously. Mental awareness and assistance for those experiencing mental health problems is easily available in South Africa through various channels. For example, people have access to…

Despite the tough economic landscape in South Africa and the cost of living crisis in the country consumers continue to purchase paediatric consumer health products. During the review period, consumers cut down on discretionary spending and were even…

NRT smoking cessation aids is a small category in South Africa and only relevant to a small consumer group. Since, 2022 NRT gum has been the only product type that has been available locally over the counter. Other products such as NRT patches are…

Since the pandemic, consumers have slowly begun to prioritise their health and wellness. This in turn has led to growing sales of herbal/traditional products. For example, Clicks stocks a brand called Sela. Sela is a tea bag brand that is available…