L-R: Mrs. Funke Jones, Bank Executive and Member, Board of Trustees, Lagos Leather Fair; Mr. Kola Oshalusi, Director of Photography, Lagos Leather Fair; Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, CEO, YD Company, Project Director and Member, Board of Trustees, Lagos Leather Fair; Mrs. Femi Olayebi, Creative Director, Femi Handbags, Founder and Convener of Lagos Leather Fair; Ms. Sinmisola Olaseinde, Manager, SME Partnerships and Collaboration Unit, Ecobank; and Mrs. Maureen Obaweya, CEO, Morin O Leather Artistry and Member, Board of Trustees, Lagos Leather Fair, during the Lagos Leather Fair 2026 Press Conference held in Lagos on May 29, 2026
By Peace Udugba
The Lagos Leather Fair (LLF), widely regarded as Africa’s leading platform for the leather industry, has officially launched the countdown to its 9th edition following a landmark press conference held at the Ananse Centre for Design in Lagos.
With the 2026 theme, “Beyond the Hide: Scaling Value. Building Industry. Driving Growth,” the fair is positioning itself as a catalyst for transforming Africa’s leather sector from raw material dependence into a structured and globally competitive value chain.
The upcoming edition is scheduled to take place on June 27–28, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Industry Vision and Evolution
Speaking at the briefing, organizers reflected on the fair’s journey since its inception in 2017, noting its steady growth into West Africa’s leading platform for local manufacturing and creative enterprise development. This year’s edition places renewed emphasis on strengthening industry infrastructure, expanding market access, and driving sustainable growth for African leather businesses.
Key Voices at the Conference
Convener, Femi Olayebi, Creative Director of FemiHandbags, reaffirmed the fair’s long-term vision of building a resilient ecosystem that connects production, design, and cross-continental trade opportunities.
Representatives from EcoBank also reiterated their commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises beyond sponsorship. They highlighted ongoing efforts to provide financing solutions, digital tools, and market expansion opportunities across more than 30 African countries.
Other speakers at the event underscored the operational realities of hosting a large-scale industry platform, calling for stronger sponsorships and more strategic partnerships to sustain long-term sector growth.
Experiences and Activations
The 2026 edition will feature a range of immersive experiences designed to engage industry stakeholders and the public, including:
LLF Runway Shows
Signature Piece Challenge, featuring a ₦1,000,000 prize
LLF Awards Ceremony
LLF Atelier, a live manufacturing hub in partnership with the Ananse Centre for Design
The Atelier will offer attendees a unique opportunity to witness real-time production processes, machinery demonstrations, and hands-on learning experiences.
Additional highlights include The Maker’s Bench, where visitors will create simple leather products, alongside curated visual storytelling led by the event’s photography and media team.
About Lagos Leather Fair
Founded in 2017, the Lagos Leather Fair was established to bridge structural gaps in Nigeria’s leather industry by connecting designers, manufacturers, policymakers, and investors. Over the years, it has evolved into a central platform for industry development and the global positioning of African leather products.
