The Lagos Leather Fair is set to launch the Lagos Leather Fair Accelerator Programme to showcase the potential value of the leather industry in Nigeria and Africa at large.
According to a report by Leadership, the LLF 2023 edition is themed: “Staying Ahead: Creativity | Collaboration | Commitment”, and will take place from June 17 to 18, in Victoria Island, Lagos.
This year’s edition is to celebrate the sixth year of Lagos Leather Fair which has been a driving force behind the realization of the untapped opportunities in the Nigerian leather ecosystem and Africa as a whole.
LLF2023 will bring together indigenous brands, emerging and established designers as well as international brands to showcase their products and services to the defined audience.
The launching of the LLF Accelerator Programme will grow and strengthen their skills and acquire critical knowledge with the help of entrepreneurs who possess the relevant industry experience.
Speaking on the announcement of LLF2023, the founder of Lagos Leather Fair, Femi Olayebi said, “the annual celebration of Lagos Leather Fair is a proof point of our unflinching commitment towards finding sustainable solutions to scale the African leather industry and ensure that the Made-in-Nigeria Project and Zero-Oil Initiative becomes a reality.
“For over five years, we have created an enabling environment for key players to maximise the potential of the leather industry; we are delighted about LLF2023 and look forward to the significant impact it will make in Nigeria and across Africa.”
LLF2023 will feature a series of engaging conversations and masterclasses where selected speakers will be available to share insights on relevant and key topics that affect the African leather industry while featuring a well-curated series of workshops for creatives.
These workshops, he said, will focus on the techniques and fundamentals of shoemaking, and on growth and marketing strategies with the aid of social media using case studies. A very special workshop – Cracking Global Markets: How African Brands can go from Local to Global – is also being organised for twenty-five (25) selected brands. This workshop will be facilitated by an International fashion and retail consultancy.
In addition, LLF2023, he noted, will feature Pitch-A-LeatherBiz, a pitching session where Individual brands will pitch their business ideas to prospective investors before an audience. Lagos Leather Fair will also be introducing LLF Awards, aimed at recognising excellence and innovation, and honour outstanding leather designers.
To him, ”For about six years, Lagos Leather Fair has had a significant impact on the Nigerian leather industry which is the third largest in Africa after South Africa and Ethiopia. The platform has impacted relevant stakeholders through its engaging conversations, creative workshops, product exhibitions, and runway presentations.”
