Ethiopia’s leather sector still underperforming
Press in Ethiopia have reported the country earnt $10.5 million from the leather sector over the past five months although they noted, given the size of country’s cattle population, the sector “underperformed”.
Zulfiker Abajihad, director of the Leather and Leather Products Industry Research and Development Centre, told the Ethiopian Press Agency there were limitations related to productivity, demand, technology and capacity.
In 2023, the country launched a 10-year Leather Sector Development Strategy that aims to transform the country into a major leather and leather products exporter. At the time, Industry Minister Melaku Alebel said Ethiopia had Africa's largest cattle population, along with significant sheep, goat and camel herds. While it has over 165 million cattle and produces 41 million hides and skins annually, only 22 million hides reach tanneries each year.
