Lagos Govt, UNDP Partner To Boost African Leather Market, Creative Economy
Lagos State Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding Africa's leather market and strengthening the continent's creative economy through strategic partnerships, investment, innovation and market access.
Lagos State Governmentand theUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP)have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding Africa’s leather market and strengthening the continent’s creative economy through strategic partnerships, investment, innovation and market access. The commitment was made on Friday during the ongoing two-day Fashion, Leather and Creative Enterprise Spotlight exhibition held at theOluremi TinubuIndustrial Leather Hub in Oshodi, Lagos. The event, themed “Crafting Prosperity: Connecting African Creativity to Markets, Capital and Growth,” featured exhibitions, masterclasses, business-to-business matchmaking sessions and a products marketplace, bringing together creative entrepreneurs, investors, buyers and development partners from across Nigeria. Speaking at the event,Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, described the leather hub as more than a fashion facility, saying it was designed to foster collaboration and business growth. He said the state government was working with the UNDP to create an enabling platform where entrepreneurs could easily transact business, access markets and grow their enterprises. According to him, the initiative extends beyond leather production to the broader fashion ecosystem, including clothing, footwear, bags and accessories, with collaboration across relevant ministries to drive growth in the sector. Ajigbotafe added that the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment would continue working with the UNDP, the Bank of Industry and other partners to ensure Lagos becomes not only a centre where creativity thrives but also where creative ideas are funded, developed and exported. He urged investors and buyers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by exhibitors, describing the products on display as evidence of the immense value within Lagos’ creative industry. UNDPAfrica Regional Director, Ahunna Eziakonwa, said the partnership was aimed at connecting African businesses, creating jobs and boosting intra-African trade. She noted that reliable electricity remained critical to unlocking the potential of small businesses, stressing that the UNDP was collaborating with governments, the private sector and development partners to address energy challenges. Eziakonwa cited the agency’s recent intervention with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), where the provision of electricity revived previously idle production equipment. She also highlighted the establishment of innovation hubs across communities and universities to help entrepreneurs embrace digital technology, protect intellectual property and access financing needed to expand their businesses. According to her, the initiative reflects a broader effort to create sustainable jobs and economic opportunities across Nigeria and the African continent. Also speaking, UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, expressed concern that Nigeria continues to export raw hides and skins while importing finished leather products, thereby losing significant value within the production chain. She said finished leather goods such as shoes, bags and apparel could generate up to five times the value of raw materials, urging Nigeria to emulate countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya by investing in local leather processing and manufacturing. Attafuah called on stakeholders to discourage the export of raw leather materials, arguing that strengthening domestic processing would support local industries, increase earnings and enhance Africa’s competitiveness in the global leather market. She challenged African entrepreneurs to take advantage of the continent’s abundant leather resources by producing finished goods rather than allowing other countries to capture the value. The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Adejoke Benson-Awoyinka, said the Sanwo-Olu administration remained committed to positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading creative hub through investments in capacity building, innovation, market access and strategic partnerships. She added that the state government would continue to promote Lagos’ creative excellence through festivals, exhibitions and trade missions that connect local entrepreneurs with international markets. Benson-Awoyinka commended the skills and creativity of Lagos artisans, stressing that improving product quality, increasing production capacity, adopting technology and expanding market access would further strengthen the state’s creative economy. Please follow and like us: