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Ethiopian Highland Leather.

A young herder wrapped in a sheepskin, seen from behind, looking out over the misty highlands from a rock

EHL is a national brand of Ethiopian sheep leather produced from sheep grown in the highlands of Ethiopia.

02 In figures

Can be thinned to about 0.35 mm while keeping its durability
0.35mm
Highlands the sheep live in, above 3,000 metres
3,000m+
Markets where the brand is registered
5
Certified finished-leather manufacturers
4

03 The brand

The Ethiopian Highland Leather (EHL) brand.

Ethiopian Highland Leather

Scientific research carried out by the Leather Development Institute of Ethiopia (LIDI) supports the uniqueness of Ethiopian highland sheepskin: it is light, thin and soft, yet strong and durable. This uniqueness makes the sheepskin of the highest quality in the world.

The brand is owned and managed by ELIA and is registered and certified in Ethiopia, USA (New York), Japan, the EU and the UK.

This high quality leather, registered in various world markets, is promoting Ethiopian leather and may be able to bring a bigger market for the leather products made from this unique leather.

According to the prepared guide book, ELIA manages the certification of applicants for this brand. Accordingly, four finished leather manufacturers of Ethiopia have been certified in the production of EHL.

The brand is promoted through all ELIA platforms: EHL has its own web page in the main ELIA website, a colour brochure has been published and disseminated, and it is also promoted at AALF and other international trade fairs through various channels.

Registered in

  • Ethiopia
  • USA (New York)
  • Japan
  • European Union
  • United Kingdom

Certified finished leather manufacturers

Tanneries are fascinating places where the magic of transforming animal hides into luxurious leather unfolds.

  • Davimpex Bahir Dar Tannery
  • Ethio-Leather Industry PLC (ELICO)
  • New Wing Shoe Manufacturer
  • Pittards Ethiopia Tannery

Certification The certification is valid for one year. Every year, LIDI staff certified as Ethiopian Highland Leather auditors visit the tanneries to renew the certification.

Highland sheep on a grassy ridge, with the mountains of the Ethiopian highlands behind

Thin, light, strong.

ELIA Highland sheepskin N° 01

Highland sheepskin: thin and light, yet strong and durable.

Fig. 01 Highland sheep on a grassy ridge, with the mountains of the Ethiopian highlands behind

04 Our story

Quality, thin and strong.

A green highland cliff edge disappearing into cloud

  1. Cradle of mankind, Ethiopia

    Ethiopia is the birthplace of humanity. It is the land where humans first started creating. Producing new inventions like coffee one after another, Ethiopia has always created new things that had never existed in the world.

  2. World-class population of sheep

    Ethiopia’s sheep population is a world-class figure, and the highest in Africa. Sheep are known as the oldest livestock in history, and have been an important part of Ethiopian people, culture and lives for a long period of time.

  3. Sustainable lifestyle

    Over time, sheep have naturally blended into Ethiopia’s traditional culture. It was natural for the people of Ethiopia to start creating various leather products out of sheepskin as a by-product of everyday food culture.

  4. Celebrated breed

    Sheep that live in the Ethiopian highlands, over 3,000 meters in elevation, have no need to protect their bodies from bitter cold. The unique geography and climate have bred a special type of hair sheep with amazingly thin skin.

05 Qualities

Thin and light, yet strong and durable.

The skin of this special sheep defines the extraordinary quality of the leather. Ethiopian Highland Leather has a significant difference in tensile strength due to its dense fibres. While maintaining its durability, it can be thinned down to approximately 0.35 mm.

Hands lining up strips of tan leather on a cutting mat

Craftsmanship and pride

Ethiopian Highland Leather is finished by the skilled craftsmanship of certified tanners. The delicate texture and flexibility give more freedom to create innovative products, previously unheard of in leather.

A herder in a green shirt looking out over clouded highland valleys

Eco-friendly

Our production process should not jeopardise the lives that flourish on this beautiful highland. Caring for the environment also means caring for the sheep. Strict control of waste-water is taken.

A brown leather sling bag with zipped pockets

Improving lives

From a shepherd to a shoemaker, Ethiopian Highland Leather encourages entrepreneurship and job creation in Ethiopia. The industry has kept promoting the sustainable economic growth of the country, improving the lives of millions.

06 Sustainability

Our small steps for a difference.

It is inspected by LIDI, a nation-owned laboratory with international accreditation for scientific study and inspection. Its inspection covers chemical tests, physical tests, and traceability of raw material.

  • Food by-product

    100% by-product of the Ethiopian food culture. Many up-cycled and recycled products.

  • Extra care

    The production process of Ethiopian Highland Leather takes extra care for the environment.

  • Job opportunity

    Many women and young people work in the leather industry for a living.

  • Economic growth

    The leather industry contributes to the industrialisation and economic growth of Ethiopia.

  • Premium price

    Ethiopian Highland Leather aims for a premium price to eliminate inequalities in international trade.

07 Promotion

Technical support by a Japanese expert team in Ethiopia.

Based on this concept, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has supported Ethiopian export promotion since 2013. In the preparatory period, sheep leather was selected as the Ethiopian Champion Product and, to promote the appeal of the leather to the market, a brand of sheep leather made in Ethiopia, “Ethiopian Highland Leather”, was launched.

Through this initiative, the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA), the owner of the brand, has attended trade shows in Japan, France and the United States, and its soft and smooth sheep leather products and materials have attracted the interest of many buyers. ELIA and other Ethiopian companies have recognised the potential of the brand promotion, and their promotional activities have continued until today.

Meanwhile, JICA has dispatched tanning experts, a designer, a bag craftsman and a shoe craftsman to support Ethiopian tanneries and manufacturers since 2017. The experts have supported them in grading up their products to be recognised in the international market. ELIA and the Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI), an Ethiopian governmental organisation, are also working to establish a certification system for the brand, with the cooperation of JICA. The certification standards include not only the traceability of raw materials, physical strength of leather and regulation of chemicals used, but also environmental considerations.

As of October 2021, four tanneries have obtained the certificate. Such efforts will be continued towards the day when Ethiopian Highland Leather becomes a global brand!