Nigeria ships 90 percent of its leather production to European and Asian markets where manufacturers transform the materials into luxury goods. International brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton source raw hides through intermediaries from Kano state tanneries. These finished products carry foreign manufacturing labels despite their Nigerian origins. Designer Isi Omiyi fights this practice by creating high-end Nigerian leather goods priced up to $1,500.
Kano operates 11 tanneries that process goat and sheep hides from across West Africa. Modern facilities like Ztannery complete 80 percent of leather processing before exporting semi-finished materials to Europe. Traditional tanneries such as Majema serve local designers who cannot afford dollar-based transactions with larger operations. The Lagos Leather Fair connects Nigerian artisans and promotes domestic leather manufacturing to challenge foreign dominance.
Kano operates 11 tanneries that process goat and sheep hides from across West Africa. Modern facilities like Ztannery complete 80 percent of leather processing before exporting semi-finished materials to Europe. Traditional tanneries such as Majema serve local designers who cannot afford dollar-based transactions with larger operations. The Lagos Leather Fair connects Nigerian artisans and promotes domestic leather manufacturing to challenge foreign dominance.
