Lagos Leather Fair Launches with Focus on Export Readiness

The 9th edition of the Lagos Leather Fair opened on Saturday, June 27, with a focus on promoting export readiness within Nigeria's leather sector. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, the Honorable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, commended the fair for driving industrialization, creating jobs, and aligning with the federal government's economic diversification agenda.

She reaffirmed the government's commitment to scaling local value chains and supporting artisan craftsmanship to create an enabling environment for micro, small, and medium enterprises to compete internationally. Mr. Femi Olayemi, founder of the Lagos Leather Fair, launched the platform in 2017 to address structural gaps hindering the sector's growth.

The fair's focus includes fostering local talent and driving sustainable manufacturing, while a panel discussed export compliance and legal regulatory barriers that prevent African brands from entering Western and Asian markets. Mr. Omoboy Odu from Ecobank reiterated the bank's commitment to funding pathways for SMEs in the leather design business.