By Chukwuma Umeorah
As part of efforts to address bottlenecks around fragmented supply chains, limited processing capacity, organisers of the Lagos Leather Fair (LLF) say the 2026 edition will prioritise strengthening the leather value chain and improving export readiness.
The fair, now in its ninth year, is scheduled to hold from June 27 to 28 in Lagos. The event will convene designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and investors to examine constraints across production, regulation, and access to international markets.
The 2026 theme, “Beyond the Hide: Scaling Value. Building Industry. Driving Growth,” signals a shift from a focus on raw materials to broader industrial development, including sourcing standards, manufacturing processes, and export competitiveness.
Founder of the fair, Femi Olayebi, said the platform was established to respond to longstanding structural gaps in the sector. “LLF was born out of both frustration and possibility -frustration with the structural gaps holding the industry back, and a firm belief in the immense, untapped potential of the African leather ecosystem. For nearly a decade, we have worked to change the narrative.”
She noted that discussions at the fair will include regulatory issues, particularly around the export of exotic skins as well as opportunities for collaboration within the industry. Workshops and training sessions are also planned to address skills development and the application of emerging technologies in production.
“LLF2026 is a bold declaration that we are moving beyond raw potential into structured growth. It is a space where artistry meets strategy, where creativity is sharpened by business acumen, and where we provide our designers with the tools to not just survive, but to compete and thrive on a global scale,” she added.
The event will feature exhibitions from leather producers across Africa, covering footwear, bags, apparel, furniture, and raw materials. A runway segment and a design challenge are also scheduled, alongside a live demonstration hub designed to show stages of leather processing and product development.
Ecobank Nigeria has been named as the official partner and host for the 2026 edition. Its involvement is expected to support small and medium-scale enterprises within the creative and manufacturing sectors, according to organisers.
Since its launch in 2017, the Lagos Leather Fair has grown into a recurring platform for industry participants. Organisers state that previous editions have attracted more than 25,000 visitors and over 300 exhibitors, with participating businesses reporting revenue increases.
The fair is positioned as part of broader efforts to improve coordination across Nigeria’s leather industry, which continues to face challenges including limited infrastructure, low visibility for local producers, and barriers to scaling production for export markets.
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