… Roadmap aimed at transforming region into a global competitor
DOREEN NAWA
Lusaka
COMMON Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has launched its Regional Leather Value Chain Strategy for 2025-2029, a roadmap aimed at transforming the region’s leather sector into a global competitor while ensuring sustainable economic development. Speaking at the launch and dialogue session of the COMESA leather value chain launch in Nairobi Kenya, COMESA secretary general Chileshe Kapwepwe, said the strategy has potential to drive industrialisation, job creation, and economic growth. Ms Kapwepwe thanked the government of Kenya for hosting the important gathering, acknowledging the warm hospitality extended to all delegates. “This moment is not just the unveiling of a document but a testament to our shared vision and unwavering commitment to unlocking the full potential of the leather industry within our region,” she said. The COMESA region, which comprises 21 member states with a combined population exceeding 640 million people and a GDP of over US$1 trillion, has significant potential in the global leather market. Ms Kapwepwe said that the livestock sector in the region is a major economic pillar, producing over 42 million hides and skins annually, yet much of this potential remains underutilised due to limited processing capacity and market access constraints. “Despite COMESA accounting for 34.3 percent of Africa’s total leather production, most of our hides and skins are either exported raw or with minimal value addition. This strategy aims to change that trajectory by enhancing local manufacturing and boosting intra-regional trade,” she said. The COMESA Leather Value Chain Strategy focuses on capacity building, skills training, innovation, technology adoption, and sustainable tanning practices. It also aims to embed eco-friendly approaches, ensuring that leather production aligns with environmental conservation efforts. “Local production could create thousands of jobs and generate over US$5 billion in sales, significantly reducing our dependency on imports,” Ms Kapwepwe said. One of the key initiatives under the strategy is encouraging COMESA member states to adopt procurement policies that prioritise regionally produced leather footwear, especially for uniformed service personnel. “If we create demand within COMESA, we will drive industrialisation, enhance job creation, and ensure that value addition takes place within our region rather than abroad,” she said. The strategy also incorporates green production practices, including cleaner tanning technologies to mitigate environmental impacts. Circular economy principles will also be applied to ensure that by-products such as trimmings and waste are repurposed into fertilisers and other useful products. In a bid to support local manufacturers, Africa Leather & Leather Products Institute is exploring the establishment of a trade house to facilitate the procurement of essential chemicals and accessories for leather processing. The trade house will also aggregate processed leather products, enabling manufacturers to efficiently fulfill large domestic and intra African trade orders. “The trade house will support SMEs and large manufacturers in meeting bulk orders, reduce dependence on imported chemicals, and create a centralised supply system that benefits all industry players,” Ms Kapwepwe explained. She called for strong collaboration among governments, private sector actors, development partners, and financial institutions to ensure the success of the strategy. She also urged stakeholders to seize the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to expand market access and boost regional competitiveness. And Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, underscored the importance of the initiative in driving industrialisation across the region. “This event marks a milestone in our collective journey toward sustainable industrialisation and represents a crucial step in enhancing the livelihoods of our communities across the COMESA member states,” he said…
