Zimbabwe’s Leather Industry Eyes Chinese Partnership for Growth
Zimbabwe’s leather sector is looking to strengthen its value chain and expand market opportunities through partnerships with Chinese firms.
Industry stakeholders believe China’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and efficient supply networks could help local producers become more competitive globally.
Fungai Zvinondiramba, a councillor at the Zimbabwe Leather Development Council, emphasized the need for strategic collaboration, particularly in sourcing chemicals for tanneries and components for footwear production.
“We are looking to China as a partner in developing our leather sector. China produces all of these materials, and we want strong trade relations to enhance our leather value chain,” he said.
Zimbabwe has a long-standing tradition of leather craftsmanship, benefiting from its rich livestock resources. Local producers blend handcrafting techniques with modern machinery to create high-quality products such as shoes, belts, bags, and wallets.
Despite this, the sector faces stiff competition from cheap synthetic footwear and second-hand shoes.
Joseph Mukondo, a marketing representative for the Bulawayo Leather Cluster, noted that affordability remains a challenge.
“People tend to buy two or three pairs of synthetic shoes for $US10 instead of a single genuine leather pair for twenty,” Mukondo explained.
He added that economic hardships make it difficult for consumers to prioritize quality over price.
Once a leading regional producer of leather goods, Zimbabwe’s industry is now undergoing a revival, driven largely by small-scale businesses.
According to New Zimbabwe, Zvinondiramba stressed that collaborating with China could help local startups grow into major players in the sector.
“We used to have large foreign companies making shoes in Zimbabwe. Today, most activities are carried out by local start-ups, which is why we are turning to China for support,” he said.
Beyond leather production, Zimbabwe is also exploring the export of raw hides and beef to China.
“With the world’s largest population, China presents a lucrative market for our meat products, especially beef, which is also part of our value chain,” Zvinondiramba stated.
