The first national stakeholders workshop on Advancing Sustainable Leather and Leather Products Manufacturing Sector in Ethiopia was held on the 28^th of April 2025. The Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology (EiTEX), Bahir Dar University, organized this event as part of the xllence4LeatherAfric project. 

Stakeholders from Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Portugal joined this significant workshop. 

The event was considered as one of the crucial platforms that has to be taken as a frequent trend by the government, traders, and academy to utilize the enormous potential of the Ethiopian leather, animal by-products, and technologies for sustainable economic and environmental benefits. 

Scholars, leaders of organizations, and researchers attended the event and provided their useful insights to develop and sustain the leather production and efficient utilization, unlike the current trend of 80% defect rate of the animals' raw hide and skin, which is significantly affecting the quality of products, market opportunities and the environment.