Leather Wares Factories in Aba, Nigeria: Challenges and Way-Forward

Abstract

Ariaria International Market in Aba, Abia State of Nigeria houses a cluster of leatherworks factories that manufacture exported wares. Except their challenges are addressed, they are going down. The study was aimed at identifying their challenges and charting the way-forward. Key informant technique was used to elicit data from 17 respondents. The data were analyzed with the help of simple statistical tools. Results
showed high exchange rate and other costs of importation of machinery and raw materials was a key challenge. Other challenges include lack of entrepreneurial spirit in graduate youths, poor doing business facilities and infrastructure, irregular electricity power supply, competition from imported goods, and lopsided development. Others are policy reversals, high and double taxation, difficulties in procuring business approval from government, high inflation rate, and unstable foreign exchange rate, in addition to corruption and fraud. The study recommends government encouragement of the leatherworks sub-sector with the right equipment and support.