The biggest leather markets in Nigeria are located in four major states – Kano, Abia, Anambra and Lagos. If you wish to buy quality leather, these are the major places to look and there are specific locations you can find the best leather.
Nigeria’s Leather Market
A tannery is a place where the hides and skins of specific animals like goat and cow are processed for further usage for making leather.
The Nigerian leather market has been in existence for years, with Kano being among the states with the oldest tanneries. Today, you can source for quality leather from Ariaria International Market in Aba (Abia State), Mushin Leather Market in Lagos, Ochanja Market in Anambra State and Challawa Industrial Estate in Kano.
1. Where to Buy Leather in Kano
Kano is no doubt, the state in Nigeria with a long history of tanneries. Despite the less publicity it has in recent years, the leather market in Kano has been a source of inspiration and projection of the future growth of the leather market in Nigeria.
It was sometime in 2016 that it became public knowledge that some of the top fashion brands, including Louis Vuitton (LV), source their product’s leathers from markets in Kano.
Here are some of the things you need to know about the leather market in Kano State of Nigeria:
Extensive Rawhide Usage
It is common knowledge that rawhides are used for leather and animals like cow and cattle have their skins used for this purpose.
However, in the Kano leather market, the options are much more. The leather makers here use an extensive number of rawhides, including cows, goats and exotic animals like snakes and crocodiles.
Different Leather Products
Besides exporting the hides to the buyers outside the shores of the country, the tanneries in Kano also make leather-related products. Items like cloths, footwears and bags are made from the processed animal skins.
2. The Leather Market in Aba
Aba is the capital city of Abia State and the hub for leather production in Nigeria. The Ariaria International Market, otherwise called the “China of Africa,” is the place to be if you want to source for genuine leather.
It is popularly known for the dominance of leather products and related activities, such as shoemaking. The market is also extensive, as it sprawls up to three local government areas, including Osisioma, Aba North and Aba South.
You can also get genuine leather for your car seat, belt, school bag design and upholstery from Ekeoha Shopping Centre located at the heart of Aba. We are one of the biggest wholesale dealers of quality leather in Aba. You can call us today for your genuine leather need, +2348039388366.
Here is what you should know about the leather market in Aba:
Cluster of Leather Makers
Due to the activities going on the market, coupled with the increase in leather demands, the Ariaria International Market has become a bedrock of clustered leather productions.
Wikipedia estimates that about 2 million traders actively use the market. This cluster is a major reason why most leather-related products in Nigeria are tagged “Aba Made” – due to the presence of many hands and leather items in the market.
Different Sub-Sectors
Besides the conventional tanning process, the market also has a variety of sectors that provide employment for interested persons.
These sub-sectors range from cutting, finishing, patterning, stitching, designing, peeling and skiving of leather products.
Export Promotions
The famous shoe cluster in the Ariaria International Market also creates an economic advantage for the country. It is estimated that at least, a million pair of shoes are exported every week from Aba to different countries in Africa.
3. Ochanja Central Market
Located in the Woliwo community in Onitsha South local government of Anambra State; Ochanja Central Market is another leather market in Nigeria.
It is the hub for traders who deal on different kinds of leather products, ranging from school shoes to sandals and bags. Footwears for both male and female are also available on both retail and wholesale basis.
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4. Mushin Leather Market
Mushin Leather Market is located in Lagos State of Nigeria and is one of the biggest hubs to source leather items in the country. At our head office located at No. 2 Ladipo St, Mushin 102215, Lagos, you buy any quantity of quality leather material you want at the wholesale price. You can call us on 0803 938 8366.
For context, Mushin is the location of an industrial estate in Lagos State, where different commercial activities take place. These enterprises range from motorcycle assembly, spinning and weaving, powdered milk production and leather production (especially shoe production).
Here are some important pieces of information about the Mushin Leather Market:
From Wey Street to Expanded Coverage
A look back in time shows that what we have as Mushin Leather Market wasn’t in place many years ago. It started as individually-owned leather shops located in front of residential houses in Wey Street.
Today, the market has expanded from Wey Street to many other neighborhoods, notably: a part of Atewolara, Maxwell, a part of Ladipo and Dakobiri.
Brand Recreations
One of the highpoints of the leather market in Mushin is the recreation of leather products from popular brands. When brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton release new products; there is a likelihood that leather makers in Mushin would make a similar design, albeit, for a lower price.
Different Leather Materials are Available
Whether you are sourcing leather for shoemaking, upholstery or bags, rest assured that you will find shops selling those in Mushin.
Leather Importation
It is rather ironical that a market that thrives in leather production would import some of the leathers.
This is the case with most traders who prefer importing refined leathers due to the improved quality they offer over the locally-refined ones.
Government Intervention
The Lagos State government has hearkened to the cries of the leather traders who seek improved tanneries and conducive environments to carry-out their businesses.
To this end, the government kicked-off the setting-up of the Lagos Leather Hub. Situated in the Matori Industrial Estate in Mushin, the hub will serve as a medium to bridge the gap between the leather value chain and tannery system in Lagos.
It is expected that the hub will provide the following services:
- Create a ready market for the leather raw material market in the north.
- Provide a conducive ecosystem for the real-time processing of raw leather materials into different finished products.
Conclusion
The future of the leather market in Nigeria is promising will soon become the biggest. If the 2021 study carried out by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is anything to go by, then, there is a chance of 70% growth in the Nigerian leather industry, with a projected valuation of $1 billion in 2025.
Are you in Nigeria and would like to place an order for your upholstery fabric or leather in Lagos or Aba for as many yards as you want? Reach out to Nestken Masters today using this Google Map or call +2348039388366. We also have a wide range of quality fabric protector spray for you.