About ALLPI

Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), formerly COMESA – Leather and Leather Products Institute (COMESA/LLPI), is an intergovernmental organization established through a Charter signed by 17 heads of State of COMESA Countries in 1990. Its mandate was to facilitate the development of the leather sector in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region prior to its rebranding. However, with re-branding through a Summit communiqué, its mandate was widened geographically to cover the entire African Continent, with its mandate remaining as enshrined in its founding charter. The African outreach will align to the attainment of Agenda 2063 and also create value towards the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) and Tripartite structure. 

Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) is currently implementing its 10 year Strategic plan (2016 to 2025) which aims at transforming the continent’s leather sector from production and export of raw materials to production and export of finished products and enhance the leather sector trade integration under CFTA and Tripartite structure. The Strategic plan, is aligned with the AU agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its involvement of Public, Private Sector and the Academia (“Triple Helix”) is contributing toward transforming the livelihoods in Africa through sustainable leather sector development through value addition, enhanced productivity and competitiveness. 

In order to address the long-standing weakness in product development, design and fashion forecast in the leather sector, ALLPI has also embarked on an ambitious Flagship program the Regional Design Studio with satellite studios in member countries. The program was initiated in 2015 and to date satellite design studios are set up in 6 member countries. The development of design capacity is expected to enhance the exportability and competitiveness of the Continent’s leather sector. 

ALLPI is also occupying a pivotal place in continental and global fora that deal with the leather sector. It is serving as a specialized institute for the leather sector in the African Union Commodity Strategy Development, partnering in the organization of All Africa Leather Fair (AALF), serving as Member and Vice President of the International Council of Tanners (ICT) and an Executive Member of the International Unions of Leather Technologist and Chemists Society (IULTCS).