Tanzania’s leather industry marked a major milestone on September 2, 2025, with the launch of the Tanzania Leather and Leather Products Association (TALLEPA). This new private sector body unites leather manufacturers across the country.
The launch received strong support from the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with development partners such as GIZ, ITC, and SADC.
The goal is to strengthen the country’s leather value chain. Tanzania has one of the largest livestock populations in Africa with 39 million cattle, 22 million goats and 16 million sheep, producing more than 13 million hides and skins every year.
A major opportunity exists in the school shoes market where demand exceeds 14 million pairs annually. Domestic manufacturers currently produce only 1.2–3 million pairs.
Tanzania’s total leather footwear production capacity is 5 million pairs per year while imports reach 54 million pairs.
To address this gap, TALLEPA introduced the TanShoes brand. Local producers will now manufacture quality-assured school shoes to meet national demand and explore regional exports through AfCFTA and SADC Leather Value Chain initiatives.
The event also featured the launch of TALLEPA’s website and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Equity Bank.
The partnership will provide financial support to leather manufacturers, aligning with Equity Bank’s focus on livestock and allied industries.
The initiative involves the government, development partners, financial institutions, schools, social organizations and trading networks.
Projected is expected to create 2 million jobs. The project will strengthen industries, add value to the leather sector, reduce second-hand footwear imports and limit raw hide exports to Western Africa. This ensures raw materials remain available for local tanneries.
