The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is taking steps to strengthen its leather industry by cutting down on raw hides and skins exports. Instead, the focus is on value addition, particularly supporting small businesses to process and manufacture leather goods locally.
A new initiative, the Leather Value Chain Strategy 2025–2029, has been launched in Nairobi to help member countries address challenges that have hindered their global competitiveness.
The strategy aims to improve skills development, support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), innovation, and sustainability. By addressing these gaps, COMESA hopes to create jobs, boost local economies, and make its leather industry more competitive worldwide.
Industry Principal Secretary Dr. Juma Mukhwana highlighted the importance of this strategy in expanding Africa’s manufacturing capacity, which currently makes up only 3% of global manufacturing output. He also emphasized the goal of increasing intra-African trade, which stands at just 15%.
One of the key proposals under the strategy is the creation of a centralized Trade House. This initiative will help SMEs access chemicals, accessories, and raw materials, solving major production and procurement challenges.
Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of the African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), described the strategy as a “living document” that requires teamwork, commitment, and adaptability to succeed.
“Designing a strategy is like courtship, but implementation is marriage,” he said, stressing the need for long-term cooperation.
Currently, the COMESA region exports most of its hides and skins with minimal processing, while importing $1.1 billion worth of footwear annually. This strategy aims to change that by promoting local manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.
