SADC Hosts Regional Leather Forum in Bulawayo

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will host its inaugural Regional Leather Forum on 22 July 2025 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in a move aimed at boosting industrialisation and regional trade within the leather value chain.

The Forum, which is supported by the German government and implemented by GIZ under the CESARE programme, is expected to attract approximately 50 participants, including policymakers, private sector players, researchers, and development partners.

SADC Communication Officer Anethe Mtambanengwe nsaid the Forum will serve as a platform for policy and regulatory harmonisation, innovation promotion, and trade facilitation across borders. It will also assess the progress made in implementing the SADC Leather Regional Model Policy Framework.

“The Forum will provide a space to explore how aligned policies, regional cooperation, and private sector engagement can improve competitiveness and sustainability in the leather sector,” stated SADC

SADC said the event will include presentations on the current state of the regional leather sector and a continental outlook by the African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI). Member States are also expected to report on the implementation of the Leather Model Policy.

“The Forum is a key step under the broader SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap (2015–2063), which aims to transform the region from a resource-based economy into one driven by value addition and high productivity,” the statement said.

The SADC-German cooperation has been instrumental in supporting leather sector development through tannery upgrades, improved production standards, and strengthening business linkages in countries such as Botswana and Namibia.

“By facilitating strategic dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, the Forum is expected to produce actionable insights and a roadmap for the continued development of the leather sector,” said SADC Communication Officer

The Forum is expected to contribute towards harmonising policies, unlocking export opportunities, and enhancing product quality for the region’s leather industry.