Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The All Africa Leather Fair (AALF) 2025 officially opened today, May 23rd, at Addis Ababa's Millennium Hall. Organized by the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA), the three-day event (May 23-25) unites stakeholders from across Africa and beyond to showcase innovations and forge partnerships within the leather industry.
AALF 2025 features over 70 exhibitors and expects more than 3,000 visitors, including tanners, manufacturers, designers, and policymakers. The fair offers a comprehensive platform with exhibitions of leather products and inputs, business-to-business (B2B) meetings, fashion shows, an innovation zone highlighting sector advancements, and panel discussions on industry challenges and opportunities. This aligns with Ethiopia's "Let Ethiopia Produce" initiative, aimed at boosting manufacturing and value addition in the leather supply chain.
A key supporter, the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), is assisting eleven export-ready leather producers from nine member states (Burundi, Eritrea, Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) to create market linkages and gain insights from the trade fair.
During the grand opening, H.E. Tarekegn Bululta, Ethiopia's State Minister of Industry, emphasized leather as a "gift of nature to Africa" and highlighted the event's role in unlocking the sector's potential for job and wealth creation. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting the industry's competitiveness. Keynote speeches by Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, Executive Director of ALLPI, and Mr. Awale Yasin, UNIDO representative, also underscored the fair's importance for market connections and networking.
AALF 2025 is poised to significantly impact Africa's leather sector by fostering business partnerships, promoting innovation, and advancing sustainable practices. The event is expected to strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a regional hub and contribute to a more competitive and integrated African leather industry, ultimately leading to new trade deals and a renewed focus on value addition.
