Projects and programs.
ELIA’s initiatives to grow markets, build capability and add value to Ethiopian leather.
02 All Africa Leather Fair
Africa’s leather trade show, organized by ELIA since 2008.
The All Africa Leather Fair brings together tanners, footwear and leather goods manufacturers, buyers, investors, designers, machinery and chemical suppliers, training institutions and government representatives from Africa and beyond. ELIA owns the AALF brand, which is registered in Ethiopia, and organizes the fair through a Central Organizing Committee.
12–15 November2026 · Addis Ababa
AALF 2026 at a glance
| Dates | 12 to 15 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Addis International Convention Center, Addis Ababa |
| Organizer | Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA) |
| Partner | Messe Frankfurt, held alongside Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW Addis 2026) |
| Closing Event | ELIA Award and Gala Night, 15 November 2026, Sheraton Addis |
What the fair includes
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Exhibition
Leather, finished products, inputs, chemicals and machinery.
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B2B Meetings
Structured matchmaking between producers, buyers and suppliers.
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Leather Fashion Zone and Fashion Show
Designers present their latest collections.
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Innovation Zone
Selected innovators show new products and solutions.
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Panel Discussions
Experts and policymakers address the sector’s key issues.
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African Leather Journal
A publication on current research in the leather sector.
Recent edition AALF 2025 was held at Millennium Hall from 23 to 25 May 2025, with more than 70 exhibitors and participants supported by ALLPI from nine African countries.
03 Ethiopian Highland Leather
A national brand of premium sheepskin.
Ethiopian Highland Leather is the national brand of Ethiopian sheep leather, produced from sheep raised in the Ethiopian highlands. Developed in 2015 with support from the Ethiopia Industrial Promotion Project, the brand is owned and managed by ELIA and is registered in Ethiopia, the United States, Japan, the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Research by the national leather institute confirms that Ethiopian highland sheepskin is light, thin and soft, yet strong and durable. EHL leather is inspected by an internationally accredited national laboratory.
Certified producers
Why EHL
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By-Product
A 100% by-product of the Ethiopian food culture.
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Environment
Produced with extra care for the environment.
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Jobs
Employment for many women and young people.
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Fair Value
A premium price that helps reduce inequality in international trade.
04 Ethiopian Leather Development S.C.
Building Africa’s most capable leather manufacturing sector.
ELDSC works with ELIA to strengthen manufacturing capability and add value to Ethiopian leather. Its focus areas are the Ethiopian Highland Leather project, positioning the industry to benefit from the AfCFTA, supporting the Modjo leather industrial cluster, and promoting cleaner production, efficient resource use and waste reduction.
Leather the world wears.
ELIA Market development N° 01
Shoes, bags, garments and gloves, cut and sewn by Ethiopian manufacturers.
Fig. 01 A woman in orange resting on a tan leather sofa, a green leather card wallet in her hand
05 Market development
Opening markets for members.
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International Trade Fairs
Coordinating Ethiopian participation at international leather and fashion fairs, including the CBI “Leather Products from Ethiopia” program in Europe.
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Made in Ethiopia
Presenting member companies to international buyers with partners such as GIZ and the Ministry of Industry.
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Buyer Missions
Arranging factory visits and meetings for visiting buyers.
06 Capacity building
Skills, technology and dialogue.
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Training
Workshops on production technology, quality management, design and export readiness.
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Technical Assistance
Expert support with partners including UNIDO and ALLPI.
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Policy Dialogue
Workshops such as the 2023 AfCFTA forum with UNECA and ECCSA.
07 Sustainability
Cleaner production, shared plants.
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Cleaner Production
Promoting effluent treatment, water efficiency and reduced chemical use.
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Certification Support
Guiding members toward Leather Working Group and ISO 14001 certification.
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By-Product Value
Encouraging use of leather waste in products such as gelatin.
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Industrial Clustering
Supporting relocation to serviced industrial parks with shared treatment plants.
