Africa Region

latest news & developments

Love the skin you’re in: A shop sells skin-lightening products in Accra, Ghana. Africa is experiencing a trend of skin bleaching, also called whitening, particularly among teenagers and young adults. Photo: Cristina Aldehuela/Getty Images

Africa wants to ban skin lighteners containing mercury

The use of the toxic products that contain mercury symbolise societies grappling with colourism

Sheree Bega