AALF gets underway

The third edition of the All African Leather Fair (AALF) began on January 20 at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Officially opened by the Ethiopian minister of trade and industry, Girma Birru, the event is the leading leather and leather products show for Africa.

Around 200 exhibitors attended  the 3-day show which was largely an Ethiopian affair although many African countries were represented either directly or through national or regional associations.

The Italian tannery and footwear machinery makers association, Assomac also presented a small pavilion at the show as did the German region of RheinlandPlatz which is the centre of the German footwear industry.

Exhibitors and visitors were welcomed by the show organisers, the Ethiopian Leather Industry Association (ELIA), general secretary, Abdissa Adugna and ELIA chairman, Yigsaw Assefa who outlined the continuous growth of the Ethiopian tanning, footwear and leathergoods sectors.