Organisers of Beauty West Africa have announced a three-day conference to address professional training, industry standards and business growth in Africa’s beauty sector.

The conference will hold alongside the exhibition at the Landmark Centre, Lagos, from November 24 to 26, 2026, under the theme “Building the Beauty Industry We Want: Skills, Standards & Scale.”

In a statement announcing the programme on Thursday, the organisers said the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Charles Odii, would deliver the opening keynote on Tuesday, November 24.

His address will examine how Nigerian beauty businesses can expand their operations and develop into more established enterprises.

The organisers said the founder of BeautyInLagos, Ezinne Alfa, would return as conference chair, overseeing panel discussions, professional workshops and a final-day takeover by Lush Hair.

The opening day will also feature the third annual Stakeholder Engagement Forum, which will introduce the Sector Skills Council for Beauty, Wellness & Care.

The forum will examine professional qualifications and recognised standards, issues that featured in discussions at an earlier edition of the exhibition.

A separate panel will examine how African businesses can increase their involvement in product formulation, manufacturing and distribution.

Scheduled speakers include TAD Beauty Africa founder, Esther Paul; Afri Botanica Chief Operating Officer, Grace Oriaghan; Anera Research Hub founder, Enyo Aduku; and AR Botanical Labs founder, Funmilayo Ifekoya.

On Wednesday, November 25, discussions will turn to consumer trust in African-owned beauty brands and the challenges they face when competing with international products.

The panel will feature HilarySays founder, Hilary Taiwo; BRV Consulting Chief Executive Officer, Vivienne Odofin; Kanda Natural Cosmetics founder, Evelyn Akande; and Rubellite Cosmetics founder, Dr Omobolaji Mogaji.

Another session will examine customer retention and business growth beyond social media visibility, with speakers including Joy Erekosima of Soibi Botanicals and Ameera Abraham of The Nail Bar and Amali Cosmetics.

The first two days will also feature workshops on skincare, aesthetics, makeup artistry, salon management and nail technology.

Brich Aesthetics Clinic Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr Beatrice Ige, will lead a session on facial anatomy and aesthetic decision-making.

Undertone Fix founder, Winifred Chiazor, will lead a workshop on complexion matching and colour theory, while OHA Institute founder, Opemipo I. Olowomeye, will discuss salon standards and business development.

Other workshops will cover legal protection and tax compliance for beauty businesses.

The organisers said Lush Hair would lead the final day’s programme on Thursday, November 26, with further details to be announced separately.

According to the statement, the wider exhibition is expected to feature more than 400 exhibitors, over 200 luxury and niche fragrance brands, a sixth exhibition hall and an expanded Korean beauty showcase.