Zimbabwe has launched its first Satellite Leather Design Studio at the Leather Institute in Bulawayo. The move is part of a national effort to revive the country’s leather industry and reduce dependence on raw hide exports.
At the launch event, the Zimbabwe Leather Development Council (ZLDC) called on the government to support the sector further. They urged authorities to mandate local procurement of boots for security forces to stimulate local production.
The studio is backed by the European Union through the Recamp programme and Comesa. It aims to raise the quality of locally made leather goods, especially footwear, while helping small and medium enterprises gain access to international markets.
Mr Clement Shoko, Chairperson of the ZLDC, said the studio marks a major step forward in the country’s leather value chain.
“We are exporting more than 90 percent of our raw hides. If we can capture that locally and convert it into finished products, it will transform our sector.”
Clement Shoko, Chairperson, Zimbabwe Leather Development Council
He added that the design studio will help local brands improve their standards and enter the global market. Shoko highlighted the potential of supplying boots to the army and security forces, calling it a “low-hanging fruit” that can drive quick results for the industry.
Comesa has handed over design equipment worth 150,000 euros to the studio, funded by the European Union. The goal is to push Zimbabwe’s leather goods higher up the value chain and support wider industrial growth in the region.
A new sole and last plant is also in the works, with help from the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute. This will further support local production capacity.
The leather sector is listed as one of the 10 priority value chains under Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). Small and medium enterprises are expected to play a key role in this transformation.
