Member States of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the regional leather value chain during the 2nd SADC Regional Leather Forum held in Durban, South Africa, from July 23 to 24, 2026.
The Forum brought together members from 16 SADC countries, development partners, the private sector and stakeholders across the leather value chain to promote value addition, regional collaboration and improve the competitiveness of the SADC leather industry.
During the Forum, Member States stressed the need for collective action to develop the regional leather value chain, recognising that coordinated national and regional efforts are essential to address shared challenges and unlock opportunities across the sector.
Delegates also reaffirmed their commitment to using the leather industry to drive regional integration through industrialisation, economic diversification, job creation and inclusive economic growth across the SADC region.
“SADC Member States must move beyond fragmented national approaches and work towards building an integrated, complementary and competitive regional leather value chain.”
– Ms. Dimakatso Moji, Director of Footwear and Leather, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Republic of South Africa
She said the leather industry has significant potential to contribute to regional industrial development and urged Member States to translate the SADC Leather Regional Model Policy Framework into practical action through stronger cross-border collaboration.
She also highlighted the importance of strategic specialisation based on each country’s strengths, better utilisation of underused production capacity and the establishment of regional industrial clusters in the leather sector.
According to her, these measures would support economic diversification, strengthen SMEs, create wealth and improve the competitiveness of the SADC leather industry in regional and global markets.
She said Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have already developed National Strategic Work Plans, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique are progressing towards finalising their respective plans.
Mr. Calicious Tutalife, Senior Programme Officer for Value Chains, SADC Secretariat, emphasised the importance of stronger regional coordination among Member States, development partners and the private sector to build effective connections across the leather value chain by linking producers, tanneries, manufacturers, SMEs, investors and markets through knowledge sharing, monitoring mechanisms and targeted interventions.
He said the Forum also provided an opportunity to address structural challenges affecting the sector, including institutional gaps, fragmented trade regulations and limited compliance with processing standards, while identifying opportunities for cross-border cooperation and regional industrial development.
He also urged participants to move beyond discussions and commit to practical actions that will improve the competitiveness, resilience and sustainability of the regional leather industry.
The Forum also reviewed the objectives, priorities and expected outcomes of the regional leather agenda while examining continental and global trends shaping the future of the leather industry.
Discussions focused on developments across the leather value chain, regional market dynamics and strategies to accelerate implementation of the SADC Regional Leather Value Chain Model Policy Framework. Member States shared progress updates, implementation challenges, lessons learned and opportunities for greater regional cooperation.
The Forum concluded with a renewed commitment from Member States, development partners, the private sector and stakeholders across the leather ecosystem to accelerate implementation of the regional leather agenda through stronger partnerships, policy alignment, investment promotion and value addition.
The Forum also acknowledged the continued support of the German Cooperation through the CESARE Programme in advancing the regional leather industry and strengthening regional economic integration.
Source: SADC
