GHANA. Fast-growing African luxury beauty retailer Scentopia has made its travel retail debut at Kotoka International Airport in Accra in partnership with Inter-African Marketing (IAM).
Designed for the modern African traveller, the boutique showcases an array of skincare and fragrance products from key brands, including Dior, Lancome, Armani, YSL, Paco Rabanne, Carolina Herrera, Gucci, CeraVe and La Roche Posay.
Refined displays, ambient lighting and lightly scented air combine to create a thoughtfully curated space that captures the spirit of Africa.
The opening builds on the retailer’s strong presence in markets such as Ghana, Senegal and Mauritius.
The launch also taps into the region’s travel growth, as air travel in Africa rose more than +5% year-on-year in 2025, according to the International Air Transport Association, and Ghana welcomed over 1.2 million international visitors in 2024, as reported by the Ghana Tourism Authority.
The store targets the growing number of tourists travelling to Africa’s key destinations via Kotoka International, now attracting a more diverse traveller base.
Scentopia CEO Vipul Gajjar said, “For years, travel retail in Africa has lacked the sensory, immersive experience found in places like Dubai or Paris.
“Scentopia is here to change that, to make every departure or arrival an experience worth remembering. This is not just a store; it’s a statement about who the African traveller has become.”
Gajjar noted that Scentopia addresses a key struggle in African airport retail, bridging the gap between local operators lacking luxury expertise and international brands that fail to meet their own standards.
He said, “The Accra Airport boutique is designed not only to sell beauty but to set a new benchmark for what travel retail on the continent can feel like.”
Inter-African Marketing Commercial Director Johnny Lakhwani added: “For IAM, this opening is more than just a business milestone. It’s a reflection of a continent in motion. As Africa’s leading distributor in both domestic and travel retail, we believe now is the time to capture this transformation.
“Our mission is twofold: to support retailers such as Scentopia as it expands into key airports across the region, and to help elevate how brands express luxury across every African market. The story of travel retail in Africa is just beginning – and it’s going to be extraordinary.” ✈
