Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) facilitated experience sharing and learning visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) delegation to the Ethiopian leather sector from August 22 to 29, 2022. The delegation was led by Mr Nicolas KALIMIRA KABAGAYA, Assistant Director General, “AgenceNationale de Development de l’Entrepreneuriat Congolais” (ANADEC) and composed of Mr Pascal BAKOLE NYIME, Advisor to the State Minister; Mr Modeste KAMBALA KALALA, head for the Design and Implementation of  SMEs incubation Centers; Mr. Jeru MATUNGULU TSHIMBALANGA, Expert at ANADEC and Mr. Roger MVIDI MUKULU, Manager of SMEs Incubation Center.

The DRC delegation started its mission activities with courtesy call to ALLPI Executive Director at ALLPI headquarters and meeting and discussion with ALLPI Management and Experts.  This was followed by activities that focused on visiting tanneries processing hides and skins to finished leather,follow-up of shoe manufacturing process and hands-on training in Shoemaking Machines handling and Maintenance.The delegation visiteda total of 5 tanneries (Colba Tannery, Mojo Tannery, Awash tannery, Batu Tannery and LIDI tannery department) and 4 shoe factories (Fontanian Shoe Factory, Universal leather Products Factory, Yaha footwear manufacturing company and LIDI Footwear department) to observe and learn from the facilities reach experience. Two of the delegation members were also trained in Shoemaking Machines handling and minor Maintenance at Fonanina Shoe factory from 23 to 29 August 2022.

Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe Ministry of Trade and Industry started the TOT on Footwear and Goods Design, Development, Manufacturing Craftsmanship and Export Readiness at the Leather Institute of Zimbabwe (ZIM) Bulawayo on August 29th, 2022. The Training aims at enhancing  SMEs competiveness, access of their products to the domestic and export markets, and the mindset shift of their operating attitudes through learning the fundamental dynamics and principles of:

• Footwear  design and development
• Manufacturing Craftsmanship,
• Exports Readiness

The Fortieth Board of Directors Meeting of the Africa Leather & Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) took place on the 17th to 18th August 2022, in Bishoftu (Debrezeit), Ethiopia. The Meeting was conducted in a hybrid mode (physical and virtual). Board Members from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda attended the meeting Physically while Board of Directors Members from Malawi and Zimbabwe attended the meeting virtually.

The Board of Directors in its two-days meeting discussed and took decisions on various program, financial, administrative, and staff matters.
The current Members of the Board of Directors of ALLPI are composed of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Africa Leather and leather products market Research team from Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), Leather Industry Development Institute of Ethiopia (LIDI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Ethiopia leather Industry Association (ELIA) has started its Market baseline survey in Rwanda, Kigali on August 17, 2022.

The purpose of this study is to report on the current leather and leather products market in Rwanda (and neighboring East African countries) and propose a promotional strategy to help prepare the participation of Ethiopian SMEs in the Textile, Apparel, and Leather Industries Investment Forum (TALIF), which is scheduled to take place in November 2022.