The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, COMESA Secretariat, and Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), has launched a business plan for the Satellite Leather Design and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Incubation Center at Cooperative College in Lusaka.

The center aims to enhance design and product development capacity among MSMEs in the leather goods sector.

Officiating as Guest of Honor, Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Permanent Secretary for Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Mrs. Subeta Mutelo, emphasized that the launch represents Zambia’s aspiration to industrialize, create dignified jobs and build a resilient enterprise landscape.

She highlighted the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to drive the leather industry towards global competitiveness and sustainable growth.

Mrs. Mutelo said this in a speech delivered on her behalf by Ms. Bernadette Mwakacheya, Director Small and Medium Enterprise in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development. 

And Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary, Mr. Crusivia Hichikumba, noted that the skills offered at the studio will improve the design and quality of leather products, making them more competitive in local and international markets.

He added that government is implementing policy measures, such as suspending customs duty on imported raw materials and enacting a law to prioritize procurement of locally produced goods, to support the growth of the leather industry.

The Permanent Secretary was represented by Director- Industry, Mr. Musokotwane Sichizuwe.

The launch of the Satellite Leather Design Studio and MSME Incubation Center is a significant milestone in Zambia’s economic transformation agenda. It is expected to create opportunities for value addition, increased export earnings, and job creation, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic growth and development.