USADF Helps Leather Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - July 13, 2011  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 13, 2011 – The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) signed an Enterprise Expansion Grant (No. 2395) to benefit almost 100 small scale leather workers in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna State.  This is USADF’s second grant to the Zaria Leather Workers Cooperative Society (ZLWCS).  Nigeria is one of 21 sub-Saharan countries where USADF promotes economic development for Africans to develop profitable businesses at the community level.

USADF President Lloyd Pierson stated, “USADF’s vision is to help grantees earn higher revenues for homegrown African-led and managed businesses, such as ZLWCS.  We are helping traditional leather workers to improve their business model and expand in news markets.”

The Zaria Leather Workers Enterprise Expansion Grant will increase production efficiencies and improve the quality of leather products sought after by local and regional consumers.  USADF funding will enable the cooperative to acquire better production materials, hire marketing and sales specialists, and open two new retail channels; creating a pathway for expansion and growth.  This expansion will in turn improve traditional leather worker’s lives by increasing incomes for members and creating a demand for more jobs. 

USADF has more than $6 million invested in 46 grassroots organizations and emerging companies, like ZLWC, in Nigeria.  To learn more about ZLWCS and other USADF projects in Nigeria, see our Nigeria Country Pages at http://www.adf.gov/USADF-QuickSourceCountryPortfolioPage-Nigeria.htm. 

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent United States Government agency dedicated to ensuring economic opportunities for marginalized populations in 21 Sub-Saharan African countries. Over the past 30 years, USADF has funded more than $200 million in African designed and led development projects.  For more information on USADF and its programs, visit www.usadf.gov

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