Juba, South Sudan – A recent workshop in Juba, held from June 23rd to 27th, 2025, has laid the groundwork for strengthening South Sudan's growing leather sector. The event, a collaborative effort between the MARKUP II and African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) projects, focused on equipping participants with the necessary skills for designing, managing, and implementing effective cluster cooperatives along the leather value chain.
The workshop emphasized that forming cooperatives is crucial for South Sudanese Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to unlock the full potential of the country's rich natural resources in leather production. Participants were urged to actively engage in developing the sector, recognizing the power of collective action to overcome challenges like high production costs through joint marketing, procurement, and production initiatives.
A significant outcome of the training was the selection of interim leadership for the newly formed Juba Leather and Leather Products Cooperative Cluster. Mr. Adet Kiir Chol and Mrs. Jane Gordon were selected as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, with a dedicated team to manage administration, finance, secretary duties, procurement, marketing, monitoring, and evaluation.
Participants expressed enthusiasm for the training, with a representative highlighting the need for further specialized training, such as "vegetable training," to enhance practical skills. The trainer, Mr. Michael Kiraye, pledged to provide learning materials and acknowledged that practical application would depend on future funding. He also encouraged the Director General for Livestock to pursue official membership for South Sudan with ALLPI.
A multi-stakeholder assessment conducted alongside the workshop revealed a moderate overall potential for forming a functional footwear industry cluster in Juba, with an average score of 2.7 out of 5. While government officials perceived the highest potential, the private sector indicated lower potential, citing challenges such as weak external networking, limited quality orientation, a scarcity of lead businesses, and underdeveloped supporting services and infrastructure.
The success of the workshop was attributed to the strong cooperation among participants and the effective teaching methods of the trainer. The commitment to establishing the Juba Leather and Leather Products Cluster cooperative on the ground was affirmed, marking a promising step forward for South Sudan's leather industry.
