Lagos Leather Fair – LLF2025 concludes with resounding success as Africa’s premier leather industry revolution takes center stage

The extremely anticipated eighth version of Lagos Leather Fair – LLF2025 has concluded with unprecedented success on the Balmoral Conference Centre, Federal Palace Resort, Victoria Island, marking a transformative milestone in Africa’s evolving leather-based business.

Below the forward-thinking theme “Designing for Tomorrow,” West Africa’s largest leather-based exhibition attracted a outstanding turnout of makers, designers, buyers, and business stakeholders from throughout the continent over two groundbreaking days.

The weekend started with a Personal Preview on June 27 at Balmoral Conference Centre, providing a relaxed environment for exhibitors and particular company to attach, unwind, and put together for the busy days forward.

The Lagos Leather-based Honest – LLF2025 was then formally opened by Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Honorable Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, who welcomed company and reaffirmed the Lagos State Authorities’s help for inventive enterprise and cultural industries. Company then loved music, gentle finger meals, and ambient networking whereas manufacturers finalized their sales space set-up.

In attendance have been notable dignitaries, together with Fegho John Umunubo, Particular Assistant to the President of Nigeria (Workplace of the Vice President) on Digital and Inventive Financial system,  Ibukun Awosika, Founder/CEO of The Chair Centre Group and Non-Govt Director at Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Bola Adesola, Senior Vice-Chairman at Commonplace Chartered Financial institution Group, all of whom have been champions of enterprise, management, and innovation on the continent.

The Honest opened its doorways to a world of leather-based, legacy, and limitless creativity, additional underscored by the presence of the Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, who represented the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Governor, Hon. Ajigbotafe shared: “Our administration stays unwavering in its dedication to reworking the leather-based business via innovation, sustainable practices, and financial diversification. We are going to proceed to help initiatives just like the Lagos Leather-based Honest that empower entrepreneurs, promote native industries, and place Lagos as a hub of creativity and industrial excellence.” 

The primary day established LLF’s dedication to capability constructing and sensible empowerment via a complete program of knowledge-sharing classes. Scott C. Eneje, of Digivo, facilitated a hands-on workshop titled “Digital Instruments for Leather-based Creatives,” offering individuals with actionable insights on leveraging expertise to boost design, streamline manufacturing, and improve model visibility.

Trade leaders Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble; Feyisola Abiru, CEO, H&Y Furniture Manufacturing LTD; Salewa Osakwe, Head Reinsurance, Particular Threat Leadway Group; and Ugochukwu Monye, Inventive Director, Ugo Monye, sparked very important conversations through the panel “Made-in-Africa: A Motion or a Mirage?”, unpacking the evolving perceptions and realities of scaling, sustainability, and native manufacturing in Africa.

One other pivotal session, “Past Borders: Managing Fee, Forex, and Logistics for Pan-African Development,” featured Omolade Oshinubi, CEO, Lekki Garment Factory; Seun Alley, CEO, Fez Delivery; Vovwe Enyoyi, Head, Product for SME and Digital Financial institution Transactions, Etranzact International, and Camille Chude of Ananse Africa, and delivered sensible steering on operational challenges dealing with African companies trying to scale past their native markets.

The day’s spotlight was the runway showcase, produced by Mahogany International with Darling Hair and House of Tara as hair and make-up companions, respectively. It introduced leather-based craftsmanship to life in a celebration of class, innovation, and creativity. Designers, together with Sole Inspiration, Wadji Design, Marte Egele, Ora Lagos, Gbenga Artsmith, Auth’ Afrique, Aaboux, Lareeyn, and FemiHandbags, unveiled putting collections that fused conventional methods with daring up to date kinds.

The second day elevated the truthful’s influence via classes targeted on vital enterprise fundamentals. The opening workshop, “Mastering the Artwork of Profitable Grants,” delivered by Olugbenga Ogunbowale, the Grant Grasp, revealed the staggering actuality dealing with African creatives, and emphasised main challenges in funding functions reminiscent of self-doubt, poorly written pitches and the concern of rejection. African SMEs face a $331 billion funding shortfall, with the continent capturing simply 2.9% of world inventive funding  –  a mere $58 billion out of a $2 trillion market.

The panel dialog “The Artwork of Pricing: Price vs Craft” addressed one of the crucial nuanced challenges within the African trend financial system. The panel featured Adegboyega Adebanjo, Lead Advisor, Amethyst and Ashlar Advisory, Ifeyinwa Azubike, Inventive Director,  The Lady Maker, and Kanyisade Ademuson Inventive Director, Seventh Space. Key insights included Kanyisade Ademuson’s highly effective assertion: “Nigerian’ doesn’t imply cheaper. If the standard is there, worth with satisfaction. If not, wait till it’s.” He added, “You’ll be able to’t worth successfully with out understanding each touchpoint of your product’s journey from supplies to your enterprise operations.” – emphasizing the significance of understanding each touchpoint of a product’s journey from supplies to enterprise operations.

An intimate fireplace chat with designer Mark Odiete, Founder, Trax Apparel supplied insights into constructing genuine manufacturers with worldwide attraction whereas sustaining African id. In his discuss “Making it on My Personal Phrases,” Odiete emphasised: “You do not simply construct a model — you construct belief. That belief should exist inside your group, your prospects, and most significantly, in your self.”

The Leather-based Set up, an annual characteristic of LLF, and a devoted area showcasing stand-out items from chosen manufacturers, and the magic and the flexibility of leather-based, was fantastically curated by Kanyinsade Ademuson of Seventh Area.

The Maker’s Bench, energetic throughout each days, provided guests a hands-on area to study leathercraft fundamentals from skilled leather-based consultants –  Otejiri Ejumabone, founder, HankerandReech and Benjamin Ohepo of Ohepo Leather-based Craft, reinforcing LLF’s function as a dwelling ecosystem for abilities growth.

The devoted Leather-based Set up, fantastically curated by Kanyinsade Ademuson of Seventh Area, showcased the magic and flexibility of the fabric.

All through the 2 Honest days, Schullzz curated a reside playlist that underscored the truthful’s vibrant power and innovation.

The occasion was gracefully hosted by Ronke Giwa-Onafuwa, popularly referred to as Ronny G.

The Honest concluded with the distinguished LLF Awards ceremony, celebrating trailblazers setting new requirements in African leather-based excellence. Awards have been introduced in partnership with sponsors, with honorees together with:

Introduced by: Arthur Nkemeh, Head of MSME, Wema Financial institution

Introduced by: Olusakin Labeodan, CEO, Leadway Pensure (Representing Leadway Group)

Introduced by: Temwa Gondwe, Director for Inventive and Diaspora, Afreximbank

Introduced by: Alexander Isichei, Senior Banking Officer, Financial institution of Trade

Introduced by: Fegho Umunubo, Senior Particular Assistant to the Vice President on Digital and Inventive Financial system

Moreover, Wema Financial institution, represented by Ayodele Olojede, Divisional Head, Retail & SME and Tunde Mabawonku, Govt Director, Retail & Digital Enterprise introduced cheques of ₦1,000,000 every to 3 standout leatherpreneurs: EwaOluwa Morenikeji of House of Ewa LTD, Pleasure Fache James of Paciencia, and Fatima Yusuf of House of Zibima.

All through, the exhibition corridor remained a hive of creativity and commerce. Attendees engaged instantly with model founders, shopped for distinctive leather-based items, and witnessed trend showcases that celebrated the flexibility and creative excellence of African design. From timeless classics to up to date innovation, the occasion provided an inspiring have a look at how leather-based continues to evolve within the arms of African creatives.

In her closing remarks, Femi Olayebi, Convener of Lagos Leather-based Honest and Inventive Director of FemiHandbags, shared: “LLF has grown from a small spark to a full-blown motion,” she mentioned. “And it is because of everybody on this room. We’re shaping a future for African leather-based that’s daring, sensible, and ours. LLF 2026 might be much more bold, and I can’t wait to welcome you once more subsequent yr.”

Since its groundbreaking launch in 2017, LLF has advanced past an annual occasion into a robust catalyst for innovation, market growth, and worldwide recognition of African leather-based manufacturers. The truthful continues to rework right into a year-round pressure for change, leveraging strategic partnerships to tackling vital business challenges together with uncooked materials entry, provide chain effectivity, financing, international market ambitions, and cutting-edge expertise adoption.

Lagos Leather-based Honest – LLF2025 extends heartfelt gratitude to their sponsors Afreximbank, Bank of Industry, Wema Bank, and Leadway Assurance for his or her dedication to advancing Africa’s leather-based business. In addition they admire companions House of Tara, Greatest Drinks, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Reel Fruits, Mahogany Events & Production, Darling Hair, Branca Water, Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), Riza, Ro-Marong, BellaNaija, Zikoko, YD Company, RedEdit, FashionEVO, Exquisite Magazine, STV, MyLagos App, Pulse NG, and Media Room Hub,  for his or her invaluable contributions to the occasion’s success.

As Lagos Leather-based Honest continues to redefine what’s doable for Africa’s leather-based business, it stands as extra than simply an exhibition however a motion dedicated to unlocking the continent’s inventive and industrial potential via leather-based excellence.

For sponsorship alternatives or participation particulars info@lagosleatherfair.com, and for media inquiries, yd@yettyd.com, For extra info, go to www.thelagosleatherfair.com or comply with @lagosleatherfair on Instagram.

About Lagos Leather-based Honest

Lagos Leather-based Honest is Africa’s premier leather-based business occasion, bringing collectively artisans, entrepreneurs, buyers, and business leaders to rejoice excellence, foster innovation, and drive development within the continental leather-based sector. The occasion serves as an important platform for networking, studying, and showcasing the best in African leather-based craftsmanship.

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