Sudan plans to revive leather sector to curb millions in annual losses
April 9, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan is losing millions of dollars annually due to the waste of animal hides, a government official said on Thursday, announcing a comprehensive plan to transform the sector into a high-value export resource.
The leather industry faces significant challenges, including smuggling, limited local tannery capacity, and poor coordination between authorities. These factors result in the loss of more than 50% of available hides.
Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Ahmed Al-Tijani Al-Mansouri, spoke at a workshop in Khartoum focused on ending the waste of sacrificial hides. He highlighted “significant neglect and misuse” of hides, causing both economic losses and environmental damage from waste.
Al-Mansouri explained that the leather sector is a vital economic resource capable of supporting the state treasury with foreign currency. He noted that the ministry’s strategic plan includes approximately 40 projects, many of which are dedicated to leather.
The plan aims to shift from exporting raw materials to manufacturing, establishing specialized markets, and forming partnerships with international experts to market Sudanese leather products.
The minister indicated coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to rehabilitate meat and animal product factories. This includes a move toward partnering with global fashion houses to maximize added value.
Undersecretary of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Ammar Al-Sheikh Idris, emphasized the need for production and manufacturing over raw exports. He stressed that enhanced coordination among specialized agencies is essential for success.
The workshop recommended forming contractual partnerships with three international fashion houses to manufacture in Sudan by September 2026. It also called for clear policies to improve hide quality before October 2026 and empowering the National Centre for Leather Improvement.
Participants urged the recruitment of young people into the sector through training programs and awareness campaigns. They also called for an inventory of tanneries in the states and the rehabilitation of those affected by war through financing and tax incentives.
Sudan produces approximately 22 million pieces of leather annually, yet exports do not exceed 7 million. The sector currently relies on about 20 tanneries, most of which use traditional methods.
With approximately 140 million head of livestock, Sudan is a major producer of high-quality hides. This puts the country in a strong position to tap into a global leather market valued at roughly $45 billion.