Untapped Potential of the Ethiopian Leather Sector

Twenty seven years ago the COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI), was established headquartered in Addis Ababa to bolster the leather industry in the 10 nations which make up COMESA: Ethiopia, Burundi, Eretria, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. They are estimated to have the potential of earning USD 500 billion from leather products annually. In the last 10 years profits have been increasing and their revenue has been closer to 200 billion. COMESA nations currently experience challenges like dependence on commodities, the perception that local products are inferior, lack of skilled workers, and the need for supportive policies. Kenya’s Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI, who has a PhD in Environmental Science says, “we can bring in billions more dollars if we apply the right intervention with a full commitment.” Capitals’ Tesfaye Getnet sat down with him to find out more about COMESA/LLPI. Read More...