Stakeholders in Rwanda’s leather sector have formed a national association to tackle persistent challenges in the industry that depends on hides and skins. The association was established on April 22 in Kigali, replacing organisations like the Kigali Leather Cluster, which lacked a nationwide structure. Jean d’Amour Kamayirese was elected as its first president. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s leather value chain gets Rwf1.4bn boost He told The New Times that the initiative aims to unify efforts across the value chain and address the key issues that have long hindered the sector's growth. He outlined the issues. 1. Poor animal care One of the main concerns raised by dealers in hides and skins is the lack of proper animal husbandry. Farmers often fail to protect their livestock from insect bites and injuries sustained in bushes or on farms, resulting in damaged hides. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda suspended 80% levy on raw hides export out of EAC “When animals are not well cared for, we don’t get quality skins. Good herding, proper feeding, and protection from harmful environments are essential if we want hides that can compete on the international market,” said Kamayirese. The association also plans to work with the government to provide training for farmers, especially those lacking the necessary skills, he said. 2. Improper butchering techniques Improper slaughtering methods also degrade hide quality. Traditional techniques use knives that often damage the animal skin, whereas modern butcheries employ machinery designed to preserve hide integrity, he said. ALSO READ: Investors eye leather factories as Rwanda pledges to establish tannery park “We plan to train butchers to adopt professional methods. At the moment, we are self-supporting and have not yet received external assistance,” Kamayirese explained. 3. Limited skills in leather production Although some Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools offer courses in leather production, the association believes more advanced training is needed. “We’d like to see these skills taught at the tertiary level. We want to engage with the government to explore this possibility,” Kamayirese said. 4. Lack of support for producers While a tannery park is under development, Kamayirese said that to maximise its potential the entire value chain needs to be strengthened. “We’ve come together to solve these issues, but we need financial and infrastructural support,” he added. “As we are organised, we will request the government to offer land where we can build offices and establish a central hub for our operations.” 5. Market challenges and low consumer trust Gisele Iradukunda, an animal skin dealer from Bugesera District, highlighted the absence of a unified voice before the association was formed. “We had no one to advocate for us,” she said, adding that high costs of raw materials and limited trust in locally made products also affect their competitiveness. “Many customers still believe that Rwandan products are of low quality, which limits our market.” With the backing of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), Iradukunda believes the association will open doors to advocacy, financial support, and improved collaboration throughout Rwanda’s leather value chain. Augustin Mbarushimana, a veteran leather producer from Huye District, said the association’s role will be crucial in monitoring activities and providing much-needed support. “We expect the association to be a bridge between us and policymakers, helping to raise standards across the board,” he noted.
