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Industrial
A small workshop making bags, wallets, belts and accessories from genuine or synthetic leather, sold to shops and directly to customers.
Where it fits:TürkiyeSyriaMoroccoNigeriaYemenIndonesiaThe Gambia
Industrial
A small workshop making bags, wallets, belts and accessories from genuine or synthetic leather, sold to shops and directly to customers.
Where it fits:TürkiyeSyriaMoroccoNigeriaYemenIndonesiaThe Gambia
Leather goods are an active and profitable trade: bags, wallets, shoes and belts are used by men, women and children alike. The trade also makes use of animal hides that would otherwise harm the environment, and it creates jobs for young people and craftspeople.
This model focuses on making finished goods from ready-tanned leather: cutting, sewing and finishing. It does not cover tanning raw hides, which needs chemicals, large amounts of water, environmental permits and far more capital than a small project (estimate).
Demand is steady and grows with the population, so finished goods are not hard to sell.
One craftsperson with a helper can make about 5–10 wallets or belts a day, or 2–3 bags a day, depending on the design and finish (estimate). Fixed patterns and cutting several pieces at once raise output.
A small workshop usually needs a simple trade registration or craft licence. Check the requirements of your local municipality, trade registry or chamber of craftsmen before starting.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial leather sewing machine (walking-foot or post-bed) | 1 | Core machine; ≈ $700–1,000 (estimate) |
| Leather skiving machine (optional) | 1 | Can start with a hand skiving knife; ≈ $400–700 (estimate) |
| Large cutting table with cutting mat | 1 | ≈ $150 (estimate) |
| Hand tool set (knives, awls, stitching chisels, mallet, punches, edge bevelers) | 1 set | ≈ $150 (estimate) |
| Hand press for snaps and rivets | 1 | With dies in several sizes; ≈ $80 (estimate) |
| Edge dye and burnishing tools | 1 set | ≈ $40 (estimate) |
| Shelves and storage | 1 set | ≈ $100 (estimate) |
Industrial leather sewing machine (walking-foot or post-bed)
Quantity: 1
Core machine; ≈ $700–1,000 (estimate)
Leather skiving machine (optional)
Quantity: 1
Can start with a hand skiving knife; ≈ $400–700 (estimate)
Large cutting table with cutting mat
Quantity: 1
≈ $150 (estimate)
Hand tool set (knives, awls, stitching chisels, mallet, punches, edge bevelers)
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $150 (estimate)
Hand press for snaps and rivets
Quantity: 1
With dies in several sizes; ≈ $80 (estimate)
Edge dye and burnishing tools
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $40 (estimate)
Shelves and storage
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $100 (estimate)
Source: Leather traders and tanneries
Cost: $2–6 per sq ft depending on type (estimate)
Main material for quality goods
Source: Fabric and synthetic-leather traders
Cost: $4–8 per metre (estimate)
For lower-priced items
Source: Sewing supply shops
Cost: About 10% of product cost (estimate)
Buy matching colours in bulk
Source: Accessory traders
Cost: $0.20–2 per piece (estimate)
Strongly affects the look of the product
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Choose the design and draw the pattern on card.
Check the leather for flaws and cut the pieces following the pattern.
Thin the edges where pieces fold or join, then glue linings and layers.
Sew the item by machine or by hand.
Attach zips, buckles, rivets and snaps.
Dye and burnish the edges and clean the item.
Check quality, add the brand label, pack and deliver to shops or customers.
Applicable countries
Strong leather industry and easy access to materials, but competition is high.
Leather craft is long established and skills are available; plan for power cuts.
Long leather-craft tradition and local leather supply.
Long leather-craft tradition and local hides.
Possible; adapt products to local demand and check leather supply.
Possible; adapt designs to the local market.
Possible on a small scale; check leather and hardware supply.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Leather goods are an active and profitable trade: bags, wallets, shoes and belts are used by men, women and children alike. The trade also makes use of animal hides that would otherwise harm the environment, and it creates jobs for young people and craftspeople.
This model focuses on making finished goods from ready-tanned leather: cutting, sewing and finishing. It does not cover tanning raw hides, which needs chemicals, large amounts of water, environmental permits and far more capital than a small project (estimate).
Demand is steady and grows with the population, so finished goods are not hard to sell.
One craftsperson with a helper can make about 5–10 wallets or belts a day, or 2–3 bags a day, depending on the design and finish (estimate). Fixed patterns and cutting several pieces at once raise output.
A small workshop usually needs a simple trade registration or craft licence. Check the requirements of your local municipality, trade registry or chamber of craftsmen before starting.
| Equipment | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial leather sewing machine (walking-foot or post-bed) | 1 | Core machine; ≈ $700–1,000 (estimate) |
| Leather skiving machine (optional) | 1 | Can start with a hand skiving knife; ≈ $400–700 (estimate) |
| Large cutting table with cutting mat | 1 | ≈ $150 (estimate) |
| Hand tool set (knives, awls, stitching chisels, mallet, punches, edge bevelers) | 1 set | ≈ $150 (estimate) |
| Hand press for snaps and rivets | 1 | With dies in several sizes; ≈ $80 (estimate) |
| Edge dye and burnishing tools | 1 set | ≈ $40 (estimate) |
| Shelves and storage | 1 set | ≈ $100 (estimate) |
Industrial leather sewing machine (walking-foot or post-bed)
Quantity: 1
Core machine; ≈ $700–1,000 (estimate)
Leather skiving machine (optional)
Quantity: 1
Can start with a hand skiving knife; ≈ $400–700 (estimate)
Large cutting table with cutting mat
Quantity: 1
≈ $150 (estimate)
Hand tool set (knives, awls, stitching chisels, mallet, punches, edge bevelers)
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $150 (estimate)
Hand press for snaps and rivets
Quantity: 1
With dies in several sizes; ≈ $80 (estimate)
Edge dye and burnishing tools
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $40 (estimate)
Shelves and storage
Quantity: 1 set
≈ $100 (estimate)
Source: Leather traders and tanneries
Cost: $2–6 per sq ft depending on type (estimate)
Main material for quality goods
Source: Fabric and synthetic-leather traders
Cost: $4–8 per metre (estimate)
For lower-priced items
Source: Sewing supply shops
Cost: About 10% of product cost (estimate)
Buy matching colours in bulk
Source: Accessory traders
Cost: $0.20–2 per piece (estimate)
Strongly affects the look of the product
İktifa buys the equipment in the owner's name and presence, up to about $2,000. No cash changes hands.
The project starts working before any repayment, with mentoring through the first year.
Instalments follow a schedule agreed with the owner, based on the feasibility study.
Repayments, and 15% of profits to the local fund, equip the next skilled person.
Exact amounts and schedules are agreed for each project after the feasibility study.
Choose the design and draw the pattern on card.
Check the leather for flaws and cut the pieces following the pattern.
Thin the edges where pieces fold or join, then glue linings and layers.
Sew the item by machine or by hand.
Attach zips, buckles, rivets and snaps.
Dye and burnish the edges and clean the item.
Check quality, add the brand label, pack and deliver to shops or customers.
Applicable countries
Strong leather industry and easy access to materials, but competition is high.
Leather craft is long established and skills are available; plan for power cuts.
Long leather-craft tradition and local leather supply.
Long leather-craft tradition and local hides.
Possible; adapt products to local demand and check leather supply.
Possible; adapt designs to the local market.
Possible on a small scale; check leather and hardware supply.
Use this project model as the basis of your in-kind support application. Adapt it to your local market and capacity.
Türkiye
Syria
Morocco
Nigeria
Yemen
Indonesia
The Gambia