The African potential in the leather industry is based on its livestock wealth, generally dominated by domestic herds kept by nomadic tribes for traditional purposes rather than for effective production of meat, milk or other products. Parasitic diseases, horn rakes, thorn scratches, brand marks etc. are common, especially in bovines.
Periodic droughts and overgrazing also reduce the size of herds. Attempts for elimination of such anti-mortem defects have had little impact in the past due to the scattered nature of animals at grazing grounds.
Slaughtering of animals, and consequently the flaying of hides and skins, is carried out under rather primitive, uncontrolled conditions; therefore the hides are often damaged. Same conditions also apply to curing and the preservation processes. A large proportion of hides and skins are ground dried or smoke cured, giving low-quality material. This is mainly due to lacking facilities, trainings, awareness creation as well as low business incentives.
