Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Writer
WITH the leather value chain remaining one of Zimbabwe’s most lucrative sectors, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) recently handed over Satellite Leather Design studio equipment worth 150 000 Euros to the Leather Institute of Zimbabwe (LIZ), a critical milestone to players in the industry.
Funded by the European Union through the EU Development Fund (EUDF 11), the studio is expected to drive focus to the upper-value chain stratum and enhance higher downstream impact to all stakeholders in the wider leather industry.
The Design Studio is set to improve the competitiveness of leather products, assisting small and medium enterprises in the sector to access both regional and global markets.
Speaking at the handover ceremony recently, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, said the studio functions as a critical building block for enhancing products, boosting design originality, and strengthening branding capabilities across Zimbabwe’s leather industry.
“The studio will develop and deepen an understanding of design as a strategic tool. This means we will educate our industry players to see design not just as aesthetics, but as critical components that enhance market competitiveness,” said Minister Ncube.
She said the project aligns with the broader vision of the Regional Design Studio (RDS) in Ethiopia, which is a flagship project for the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) endorsed by the Council of Ministers meeting held in Madagascar in 2016.
With many players in the leather sector being small businesses, Minister Ncube said the studio will provide the necessary materials, equipment, and standard design patterns.
She said this support will enable local manufacturers to produce footwear and leather goods at a higher quality and consistency, reducing costs and saving time, thus empowering SMEs to meet international standards.
“SMEs often struggle to purchase inputs on a large scale, access large markets, and introduce innovative products due to limited resources and market constraints,” said the Minister.
She further highlighted that the design studio serves as a hub where designers can conceive, develop, and perfect new products here in Zimbabwe, enhancing originality, technical expertise, and branding potential.
Zimbabwe has set a strong foundation for its leather industry with the implementation of the Zimbabwe Leather Strategy (2021-2030).
This strategic blueprint aims to deeply enhance the sector’s development over the coming decade.
Minister Ncube said the leather value chain is notably well-structured, spanning from livestock farmers, which is the industry’s backbone.
Speaking at the launch, Comesa representative Ms Providence Mavubi said the equipment handover not only marks a transformative milestone for Zimbabwe’s leather sector but also unlocks the vast potential of the Zimbabwe data industry, positioning it for global competitiveness.
“We are not merely inaugurating a new facility, we are unlocking the vast potential of Zimbabwe’s leather industry and positioning it for global competitiveness,” she said.
Ms Mavubi noted that upgrading the satellite design studio empowers Zimbabwean artisans, designers, and entrepreneurs to elevate their craft and produce leather goods that meet the highest global standards.
“We look forward to seeing Zimbabwe-branded leather products not only in local markets but on shelves worldwide, showcasing the quality and innovation that define Zimbabwean craftsmanship,” she said.
“Comesa remains fully committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s leather sector, and today’s handover marks the beginning of a new chapter.
“We anticipate this studio will become a centre of excellence where ideas flourish, skills are developed, and world-class products are created, driving exports, generating employment, and empowering Zimbabwe’s youth and women.”
Zimbabwe Leather Development Council chairman Mr Clement Shoko, said with the new technology, they can design a shoe and any other leather product.
“We now have a tool that we can use to our satisfaction. We can now go on the international stage,” he said.
Mr Shoko said they are in the process of significantly implementing a strategy for 2021-2030 with a second sub-objective, which talks about design strategy.
He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the project, including the European Union, the Government, and the leather industry, for their support in establishing the studio.
“The moment you have a specific design, you go into the implementation matrix; you will tick and say we have scored,” said Mr Shoko.
He said they however, face the challenge of struggling to penetrate the market, which can significantly contribute to the sector’s growth.
“The market is the one that makes us busy. If we can penetrate the market, then we would be in a position to draw on those 95 percent of hides, convert them into leather, and convert them into a product,” he said.
Mr Shoko said the launch of the design studio would help improve the value chain and post a lot of the sector’s key performance indicators as described in the sector’s strategy.
He said with the country exporting more than 90 percent of raw hides, the sector needs local support to utilise the presented opportunities, with market penetration being the challenge.
“If we can penetrate the market, we will be in a position to draw on those 95 percent of hides, convert them into leather and leather products,” said Mr Shoko.
“One of the low-hanging fruits is in the form of the uniformed forces. On behalf of my fellow members here, I ask the Government to look at this very seriously.
“We would like this particular market to be serviced by us because we think, with this design studio, whatever challenges the market can say we are not good at, I think we are now in a position to improve.”
Mr Shoko said this would help turn the 95 percent hides, which are being exported, into products that can transform the leather value chain.
He also said the establishment of the design studio would help the sector introduce locally branded leather products, which can be taken to the international space.
Mr Shoko said under the National Development Strategy 1, the leather value chain has a couple of key performance indicators (KPIs).
“We would like to ask our Government to have a Presidential declaration within a given period such that we can find ourselves being the sole supplier of the army and other security forces’ boots,” said Mr Shoko.
Meanwhile, the country looks forward to the establishment of the sole and last plant, with Mr Shoko saying the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) is facilitating the process.
The leather value chain is one of the 10 priority value chains under NDS1, with small and medium enterprises playing a key part in supporting the value chain.
