South Sudan’s leather sector stems from a livestock population estimated at 11.7 million heads of cattle; 12.4 million goats and 12.1 million sheep. This is easily among the highest livestock per capita ratio in Africa. South Sudan’s livestock population has an estimated asset value of US $ 53 million. As of 2015, it was estimated that the country produced 469,406 cowhides, 1.24 million sheepskin, and 1.2 million goat skins according to a report by IGAD.
This huge potential is waiting to be explored from scratch by any business-minded actors in the leather industry. There are no tanneries in South Sudan and that presents the first investment opportunity. With such a huge animal population, South Sudan can comfortably absorb any number of tanneries, distributed across the country to minimise competition for raw materials. With a little investment in awareness about the value of hides, animal husbandry, and modern tanning technology, South Sudan could be exporting very fine leather worth millions of dollars per year to all the leather destinations of the world.
At the moment, the main commercial activity in the South Sudan leather industry involves a few people, with awareness on the value of leather, preserving and exporting hides and skins to Uganda and Kenya. In 2013 alone, such exports were valued at US$ 9 million in trade. Other hides are sundried, and exported to West Africa (Nigeria), with close to 400,000 pieces exported annually, earning another US$ 2 million. On the average, a sun-dried hide costs US $ 5 apiece.
South Sudan is Africa’s newest country with its main economic hub being Juba. The full potential of the leather industry in South Sudan stems from a livestock population estimated at 11.7 million heads of cattle; 12.4 million goats and 12.1 million sheep. This is easily among the highest livestock per capita ratio in Africa. South Sudan’s livestock population has an estimated asset value of US $ 53 million. As of 2015, it was estimated that the country produced 469,406 cowhides, 1.24 million sheepskin, and 1.2 million goat skins according to a report by IGAD.
This huge potential is waiting to be explored from scratch by any business-minded actors in the leather industry. There are no tanneries in South Sudan and that presents the first investment opportunity. With such a huge animal population, South Sudan can comfortably absorb any number of tanneries, distributed across the country to minimise competition for raw materials. With a little investment in awareness about the value of hides, animal husbandry, and modern tanning technology, South Sudan could be exporting very fine leather worth millions of dollars per year to all the leather destinations of the world.
At the moment, the main commercial activity in the South Sudan leather industry involves a few people, with awareness on the value of leather, preserving and exporting hides and skins to Uganda and Kenya. In 2013 alone, such exports were valued at US$ 9 million in trade. Other hides are sundried, and exported to West Africa (Nigeria), with close to 400,000 pieces exported annually, earning another US$ 2 million. On the average, a sun-dried hide costs US $ 5 apiece.
South Sudan Pastoralists General Union (SSPGU) is committed to the heritage, culture and diversified bestowed upon South Sudan by the Almighty God. The ultimate purpose and mandate is to familiarize animal production, the Union, and the public at large