EARTH SUMMIT+5 Special Session of the General Assembly to Review and Appraise the Implementation of Agenda 21 New York, 23-27 June 1997 SUCCESS STORIES FROM AFRICA

	Regional Africa Hides and Skins, Leather and Leather Products Improvement Scheme
	Location	Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
	Responsible organization	UNIDO, Leather Unit of the Agro-based Industries Branch, Division of Industrial Sectors and Environment Division.
	Description	Expansion of the Improvement Scheme and the associated Regional Africa Leather and Footwear Industry Scheme, in particular enhancing the capabilities of women entrepreneurs in the footwear and leather products industry and their effective integration in the activities of the leather sector; the promotion of the export of finished African leather and leather products to the international market; strengthening the existing leather and leather products institutes in the region.
	Issues addressed	Waste minimization, waste treatment and disposal, recycling, implementation of cleaner technology, by-products manufacturing, occupational health, safety at work and eco-labelling, strengthening SMEs.
	Objectives	Technical assistance, investment activities, technology improvement, information, pollution control, leather products development and promotion, strengthening SMEs, training and quality control in respect of hides and skins (tanneries), footwear and leather and leather products.
	Results achieved	The programme has helped to increase the value-added of hides and skins in the countries concerned and has created a Revolving Fund Operation, leather industry associations and the COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute in Ethiopia. A leather goods manufacturing unit has been established in Kenya; a new tannery set up in Kenya; shoe manufacturing investment projects are being promoted between South African and East African countries; and UNIDO publications have been issued on simulated leather, component manufacturing, technical information sources, acceptable quality of leather and leather products and the world leather industry. The above has helped to enhance Africa's participation in the world market and increased the contribution of the leather sector in the national economies of the countries concerned.
	Lessons learned
	Financing	Industrial Development Fund (individual donors and donors contributing to a pool of funds).
	Contact	Leather Unit, Agro-based Industries Branch, Industrial Sectors and Environment Division, UNIDO Vienna - Austria Tel. (43 1) 21131