SADC Hosts Inaugural Regional Leather Forum to Boost Trade and Industrialisation

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), with the backing of the German Government, has launched its first-ever Regional Leather Forum in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe—marking a major step toward industrialising the region’s leather value chain and enhancing intra-regional trade.

This historic forum has drawn more than 50 key stakeholders, including government policymakers, industry executives, entrepreneurs, researchers, development partners, and private sector players. Their shared mission is to unlock the region’s vast potential in the leather sector through collaboration, innovation, and inclusive growth strategies.

Speaking on behalf of the SADC Secretariat, Mr. Calicious Tutalife, Senior Programme Officer for Value Chains, highlighted the forum’s significance as a catalyst for regional development. He called on Member States to fully engage in the discussions, stressing that their input is essential for driving progress in the leather industry and for reinforcing the broader goals of regional industrialisation.

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Mary Chingonzoh, Acting Director in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce, outlined the forum’s core objectives. She emphasized the need to create a cohesive and interactive platform that can support policy and regulatory harmonisation across the SADC region. According to Mrs. Chingonzoh, this alignment is crucial for promoting innovation, attracting essential investment, and facilitating smooth cross-border trade within the leather sector.

She also pointed to the importance of evaluating the progress of the SADC Leather Regional Model Policy Framework, which aims to provide a unified approach to developing and managing the leather value chain across member countries. The framework is seen as a tool for transforming the sector into a competitive and sustainable contributor to regional economies.

The Forum serves not only as a platform for dialogue but also as a strategic space for identifying concrete actions that can enhance competitiveness, value addition, and job creation within the leather industry. It is expected to pave the way for joint ventures, knowledge sharing, and the establishment of stronger value chain linkages from raw material sourcing to finished leather goods.

With the continent’s growing demand for locally produced, high-quality leather products, the inaugural SADC Regional Leather Forum signals a pivotal moment for the region. By aligning policy efforts, leveraging innovation, and fostering regional cooperation, SADC is positioning the leather industry as a driver of inclusive industrial growth and sustainable trade.