ELIA Land of Origin · Ethiopia
Membership
የኢትዮጵያ የቆዳ ኢንዱስትሪዎች ማኅበር Apex Sectoral Association · Established 1994

The apex voice of
Ethiopian leather.

Uniting 191+ certified tanneries, footwear plants, and master leathercraft manufacturers across Ethiopia. For three decades, ELIA has championed industrial excellence, environmental integrity, and direct global market access.

FOUNDED 1994 30+ Years Sector Pioneer
MEMBERSHIP 191+ Certified Producers
SECTORS UNIFIED 04 Tanneries, Shoes, Goods & Apparel
HEADQUARTERS Addis Ababa Apex National Secretariat

CHRONOLOGICAL RETROSPECTIVE

Three Decades of Industrial Stewardship

How a pioneering guild of tanners expanded into an internationally accredited apex confederation powering Africa’s largest livestock value chain.

1994 Epoch 01 // Genesis

Ethiopian Tanners Association

Pioneer master tanners in Modjo and Addis Ababa formalize the national association to standardize raw hide preservation, grading rules, and export quality controls.

2004 Epoch 02 // Integration

Tanners & Footwear Union

Reconstituted to embrace finished footwear and garment manufacturers, breaking raw material silos and establishing the first vertically integrated industrial value chain.

2007 Epoch 03 // Modern Guild

Charter of ELIA

Formally renamed the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA). Commissioned by the government as the apex private sector dialogue partner with UNIDO and the Ministry of Industry.

2008+ Epoch 04 // Global Reach

AALF & Highland Leather

Founded the All-African Leather Fair (AALF), secured the international trademark for Ethiopian Highland Leather (EHL) in New York, Tokyo, and London, and opened AfCFTA trade corridors.

MANDATE 01 // PREMIER BENCHMARK

Our Vision

“To be the premier association spearheading the emergence of the Ethiopian leather industry as an undisputed global powerhouse.”

Representative of members who produce, finish, and export first-choice leather and luxury finished goods to Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia.

MANDATE 02 // SUSTAINABLE PROGRESS

Our Mission

“Developing an enabling business climate through evidence-based advocacy, technology transfer, and green industrial service provision.”

Facilitating technical audits, environmental compliance, workforce upgrading, and institutional capacity for the continuous advancement of the Ethiopian leather value chain.

MANDATE 03 // MEMBER SERVICES

What We Deliver

“Defending member rights, opening direct international corridors, and securing trade equality for African producers.”

Direct access to global trade missions, LIDI certified laboratory testing, strategic raw hide sourcing, AfCFTA customs clearance, and the annual All-African Leather Fair platform.

GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP

The Executive Board of Directors

Elected industrial leaders representing tanners, footwear manufacturers, and artisanal enterprises across Ethiopia.

  • 01
    Mr. Redman Bedada
    Board Chairman & ELIA President · Owner & General Manager, Modjo Tannery PLC
  • 02
    Mr. Tatek Yirga
    Vice Board Chairman · Owner & General Manager, Batu Tannery PLC
  • 03
    Mr. Ahmed Nuru
    Board Member & Chief Accountant · Owner & General Manager, Gelan Tannery PLC
  • 04
    Mr. Gashaw
    Board Member · General Manager, Anbessa Shoe Manufacturer
  • 05
    Mr. Yared Gizachew
    Board Member · Owner & General Manager, Ras Dashen Shoe
  • 06
    Mr. Zelalem Merawi
    Board Member · Owner & General Manager, Ker Ezhi Leather
  • 07
    Ms. Amor Zemen
    Board Member · Owner & General Manager, Amour Leather

PERMANENT SECRETARIAT

Executive Operations & Administration

The full-time secretariat based in Addis Ababa, driving daily member advocacy, project coordination, and international buyer relations.

Finance & Admin

Mr. Tadesse Alemayehu

Director of Finance & Administration

tadessealemayehu@ymail.com
Tel. +251 115 155 060
Mob. +251 91 102 2606
Projects & Technology

Mr. Tekele Gebremariam

Strategic Project Coordinator

tekleelia178@gmail.com
Tel. +251 115 155 060
Mob. +251 91 167 4568
Footwear Sector

Mr. Amsalu Kifelew

Technical Footwear Specialist

amsaluelia@gmail.com
Tel. +251 115 155 060
Mob. +251 91 131 3930
Operations

Mrs. Alemitu Lebeta

General Services & Logistics

Secretariat Logistics Hub
Mob. +251 90 072 3743
Enterprise Wing (ELDSC)

Mr. Mesfin Lemma

General Manager, ELDSC Enterprise

lemmamesfin38@gmail.com
Tel. +251 115 548 122
Mob. +251 91 250 3085 / +251 91 148 2803

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Strategic Coalitions & Global Stakeholders

GOVERNMENT
Ministry of Industry
Industrial policy alignment, export incentives, and national manufacturing strategy.
LABORATORY & AUDIT
LIDI Ethiopia
Leather Industry Development Institute: ISO accredited laboratory certification and chemical audits.
MULTILATERAL
UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Development Organization: cleaner production and green tannery parks.
TECHNICAL COOPERATION
JICA Japan
Japan International Cooperation Agency: master artisan training and international EHL branding.