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By Chinwendu Obienyi
Despite Nigeria’s position as a leading exporter of hides and skins, the country has yet to firmly establish itself as a dominant force in the global leather production industry.
According to a recent statement from the Lagos Leather Fair (LLF), as of 2023, the global leather goods market is valued at $468.49 billion and is estimated to grow to $738.61 billion by 2030.
The statement noted further that despite leather being one of the most traded commodities and more than 45 million pieces of hides and skin among other Nigerian exports, its place in the booming leather industry remains is almost insignificant.
It said, “This leather serves as a backbone for all locally manufactured items and Finished Leather Products (FLP) ranging from footwear to clothing accessories like bags and belts, car upholstery and much more.
A huge gap exists between the production of these goods and its marketing, and promotion, hence, establishing a driving force for the Lagos Leather Fair (LLF) platform”.
The LLF emphasized that Nigeria has a blooming leather industry, made to quite a renown by the eponymous “Aba Made”, a pseudonym used to describe Finished Leather Products manufactured in Aba, Abia state in Nigeria, so distinct in their design and quality that they have become a house name in other markets in Nigeria.
It further added that it aims to promote the stories behind the ingenuity and talent of leather designers in Nigeria and across the continent, creating awareness of the potential value of this teeming leather industry.
“In the face of growing competition and demand across the continent, the fair collaborates to change the narrative within the overlooked sector and to build an ecosystem that works. Bringing together stakeholders from across the leather value chain, LLF draws its focus on finding sustainable solutions to move the industry forward.
It showcases the untapped yet massive potential of players within the Nigerian leather industry, providing a much-needed platform for leather designers to display their products and their talent.
As an industry with vast opportunities and capacity to drive foreign investments, over the years LLF has worked hand in hand with stakeholders to grow the Nigerian Finished Leather Goods sector – attracting interest from enthusiasts and investors.
With Nigeria being one of the continent’s leading producers of leather and finished leather products, the Lagos Leather Fair aids in the growth of the continent’s leather industry, contributing significantly to the promotion of leather production and trade in Africa, by showcasing designers from around the continent, driving this $3.5 billion industry forward”, the statement said.
