The Leather & Hide Council of America (LHCA) and the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) have launched the Africa Talent Leather Design Showcase 2025, an initiative aimed at mentoring and promoting African designers while advocating for sustainable leather products.

“This competition champions leather as the material of choice for a sustainable future, providing designers across Africa with skills, exposure, and a platform to harness its beauty, versatility, and durability,” said Nicholas Mudungwe, executive director of ALLPI.

Ethiopia, known for its beautifully crafted leather products, continues to face challenges in quality perception and market competition from imported goods. Many local consumers appreciate Ethiopian leather’s affordability and design but believe improvements are necessary to boost consumer confidence.

“Ethiopian leather is well-designed and affordable, but quality improvements are needed to compete with imported products that dominate the market,” said Henok Petros, a Seattle-based entrepreneur and frequent customer at Addis Ababa’s leather stores. While he proudly purchases locally made leather goods for his children, he acknowledges concerns about durability.

An Italian IT professional shopping at the same store echoed this sentiment, praising the unique designs but emphasizing the need for higher quality and sustainability. “Price is secondary. What matters is quality and environmental responsibility, which influence our purchasing decisions,” he said.

The LHCA and ALLPI initiative seeks to bridge this gap. Last year, they hosted a competition at Skylight Hotel during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week in Addis Ababa, where Ruth Girmay, an Ethiopian designer, won the Most Commendable Designer Award for her “Overfishing Bag” inspired by marine conservation.

“This recognition affirms my hard work and dream to excel in sustainable, locally made designs that will elevate Ethiopia in the international market,” Ruth said.

The competition also connects African designers with global industry players, potential partnerships, and sustainable fashion advocates. Kerry Brozyna, president of LHCA, emphasized the importance of sustainability in fashion:

“The industry cannot afford to ignore its environmental impact. Leather is at the heart of slow fashion due to its durability, offering an ethical alternative to disposable fashion trends.”

A local designer who competed last year and plans to participate again this year expressed her excitement, saying, “African designs are beautiful and colorful, but we lack exposure, wisdom, and the know-how to elevate our products. I hope Africa will one day embrace its own creations instead of prioritizing cheap imports.”