Nigeria has the potential to produce up to 200 million pairs of shoes each year if it strengthens its domestic leather value chain, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Speaking at the Fashion, Leather and Creative Enterprise Spotlight exhibition in Lagos, UNDP Resident Representative Elsie Attafuah said the country has abundant raw materials but continues to lose value by exporting raw hides and skins while importing finished leather products.
Attafuah noted that more than 70% of Africa’s raw hides are exported, arguing that investment in modern tanneries could double the value of the material, while finished leather goods such as footwear, bags and apparel can command up to five times the price of raw hides in domestic and international markets.
She urged Nigeria to prioritise local processing of hides and skins to support domestic manufacturers, pointing to Ethiopia and Kenya as examples of countries that are advancing leather value addition. Attafuah added that retaining more raw materials within Africa would help strengthen local industries and create greater economic value across the leather supply chain.
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