Africa’s emerging economies present exciting opportunities for the food and beverage industry. Demographic factors and improved commercial practices are driving higher demand for products and services. Seven countries - Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa - will soon hold half of the continent’s population. What’s more, 43% of the population will belong to the middle or upper classes (French and Perkins, 2014). Food businesses are increasingly keen to introduce products to the African continent. However, regulatory complexity is a significant challenge and it’s important to build a thorough understanding of local requirements for individual countries. Entering markets without this knowledge risks reputational damage and could potentially lead to serious legal consequences. This white paper offers a snapshot of local regulations in Africa as well as some neighbouring Middle East countries, recommending tools and approaches that can be used to navigate the complexity.