Economy
LLF @5: Creating Opportunities for Leather Industry Players Across Sub-Saharan Africa
“The fast-evolving nature of the leather industry in Nigeria is quickly positioning the industry to become the next gold mine for our dear nation — that is, if it is properly explored and harnessed by both industry players and governmental bodies,” Femi Olayebi, CEO FemiHandbags, and Founder, Lagos Leather Fair opined at a leather industry stakeholder event.
Over the years, the Nigerian leather industry has continued to evolve and positively contribute to Africa’s economy both in revenue and in employment opportunities. According to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), research shows that the industry contributes about 24% of the agricultural sector’s contribution to the GDP in Nigeria.
It is also one of the more significant employers of labour, with over 750,000 workers in the leather processing sector and about 500,000 in the finished leather goods sector. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has also projected that the industry could bring in earnings of about US$1 billion by 2025. Undoubtedly, the sector has the potential to metamorphose into the next big deal for Africa’s economy.
In order to make this prediction a reality, whilst simultaneously tapping into the enormous potential of the industry, select leading brands and industry thought leaders are taking up the responsibility — by forging alliances, and launching forward-thinking projects. One such project is the Lagos Leather Fair.
Creating opportunities for African Leather Industry Players
The Lagos Leather Fair (LLF) was created in 2017 by Mrs Femi Olayebi, the Creative Director of FemiHandbags — one of the continent’s leading leather brands. Having experienced, first-hand, the challenges that plague the sector, she was determined to provide a much-needed platform for leather designers to showcase their products, partner with stakeholders to grow the finished leather goods sector and change the narrative within an industry that holds an amazing potential to succeed as major foreign exchange earner.
Driven by these goals, the platform opened its doors to more than 6,900 individuals, businesses, partners, and other stakeholders from all across sub-Saharan Africa between 2017 and 2021. Each edition has created visibility for African leather-focused businesses and has featured revered thought leaders who equip industry players with the requisite knowledge necessary to navigate and grow within the industry.
Over the years, there has been steady growth within the leather industry. Nonetheless, there are prevailing challenges facing the industry.
Many local shoemakers, for instance, do not have access to the advanced technology needed to design high-quality wear for their teeming customers. This is a potential setback, especially when compared with their international counterparts. A large portion of the more established and advanced shoemakers in Lagos are those who design their shoes abroad and then import these shoes to the country for finishing.
Lagos Leather Fair has sought to tackle this challenge by investing in capacity building opportunities, through a series of training partnerships: seeking to bridge the skills gap in the leather and non-leather manufacturing industries; raise the standards; and equip young industry players with the requisite hard and soft skills to navigate the industry. LLF recently partnered with a training program called Kafawa.
The program was designed by My World of Bags in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, and it presents a holistic training experience from basic machine skills to specialised leather-crafting, to soft skills and entrepreneurship classes; since its launch in 2021, the program has directly impacted over 250 micro and small leather business owners across Nigeria. The 2022 edition of LLF will feature these recent graduate trainees within its Emerging Designers segment at the fair.
Made in Nigeria for Nigerians
Several reports have confirmed that many Nigerians have a preference for international brands because of their perceived higher quality than local brand output. A Stears business report revealed that if you ask 100 Nigerians to choose between local or international brands, 92 will choose the international brand, while 8 would be undecided.
In another blind brand experiment conducted amongst Nigerians, 98% claimed that they could differentiate between internationally-made and locally-made shoes. When the shoes were provided to them, however, only 32% could make a distinction. As a result, many companies across diverse industries have launched several consumer-focused campaigns to encourage local shopping, and the leather sector is no different.
Since its inception, the Lagos Leather Fair has curated over 30 masterclasses that have held conversations to change the narrative around made-in-Nigeria, for the leather industry and beyond. A call for Nigerians to shop local will not only develop the leather industry but will have a significant impact on the Nigerian economy at large. Lending their voices to the cause, respected thought leaders Alheri Egor-Egbe from Google, Giovanni Romano from Ithaki Paris, Laduma Ngxokolo from Maxhosa Africa in South Africa, Prof. Yvonne Watson of the Parsons School of Design, New York and a 3-D design expert Baboa Tachie-Mensa from Ghana, and dozens of others have joined in to drive this conversation with LLF over the years. These conversations are well paired with the fair’s spotlight on strong industry brands with premium quality products that have begun indeed to change the narrative.
2022 Outlook
“For us at LLF, the goal is to continue to drive value and draw attention to the leather industry. We believe that we have discovered a gold mine that will not only make our businesses successful but will increase the prosperity of our nation. We will not stop doing the good work until the industry is developed,” said Femi Olayebi, CEO FemiHandbags, and Founder of Lagos Leather Fair.
In 2022, LLF is set to host several initiatives in line with its overarching goals. In commemoration of its 5th anniversary, the platform is set to host another physical fair in Lagos, Nigeria — it will open its doors to leather enthusiasts, producers, manufacturers, lifestyle lovers, fashion experts, and the wider public to showcase leather products and services and keep the spotlight on the vast possibilities within the industry.
This year’s fair will take place at the Balmoral Convention Center at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on June 11t and 12. This year, LLF will feature dozens of leather exhibitors, and create opportunities for brands to connect with prospective customers, their peers and other stakeholders; masterclasses to drive conversation; atelier sessions to expose the hidden tricks of leather crafting, and fashion runway showcase to further showcase brands.
LLF has also hinted at the launch of two initiatives that will further drive the industry forward: one is The Leather Portal — a platform that will serve as an e-directory connecting leather designer, brands, tanneries, and hardware suppliers across Nigeria and Africa; another is the Guild of Leather Designers (GOLD), a not-for-profit advisory body that will support the professional development of leather designers, promote best practices, facilitate access to business development tools and serve as a bridge between leather designers and various stakeholders to create an effective and sustainable ecosystem.
There is no better time than now for the government to begin to take a closer look at the leather sector. In 2021, the National Leather and Leather Products Policy Implementation Plan was launched to address specific challenges and shortcomings of the leather sector, with pragmatic strategies to permanently resolve these issues for optimal productivity. Whilst this is a commendable development, there is an urgent need to begin to put that plan to action, and a great first step would be to get a closer glimpse into the happenings in the industry by starting at this year’s Lagos Leather Fair.
Economy
Trump Earned over $1 billion Through Cryptocurrency; How Can an Ordinary Investor Earn $17,700?
Trump publicly criticized Bitcoin in 2021 but rapidly shifted his stance during the campaign, proposing to make the United States the “global cryptocurrency capital.”
After returning to the White House, he signed an executive order supporting the development of the digital asset industry. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Trump and his associated businesses have generated over $1 billion in gains through cryptocurrency.
As we enter 2026, cloud mining is emerging as a new area of interest amidst the continued development of computing infrastructure and digital asset markets. For the average investor, the question arises: how can one generate $17,700 in passive income—or even more—despite constant market volatility?
Cloud mining： represented by platforms like SHRMiner, is rapidly gaining market attention. By providing rentable computing power services and earning mining rewards, it allows users to access the complete cloud mining process and earn passive BTC income without purchasing expensive equipment or specialized skills.
Recently, SHRMiner, a UK-based cloud mining platform, officially launched a new “free cloud mining service.” This service is designed for holders of mainstream cryptocurrencies such as BTC, XRP, DOGE, LTC, and EHT, providing users with a new opportunity to participate in cryptocurrency mining without any entry barriers.
How to earn passive income from BTC through SHEMiner cloud mining
Start earning returns in just three simple steps:
- Register an account
By visiting the official SHRMiner website, users can register for a free account in less than two minutes and receive a $15 sign-up bonus; this bonus allows them to quickly experience the platform’s services and earn a daily return of $0.60 from a complimentary trial contract.
- Select a cloud mining plan
Choose a cloud mining plan that suits your needs and budget. The platform offers flexible plans ranging from $100 to $200,000 to meet the investment goals of different users.
- Start earning returns
After purchasing a contract, earnings are automatically settled within 24 hours without requiring additional management or action; users can withdraw their earnings to their cryptocurrency wallet addresses at any time or reinvest the profits to benefit from the compounding effect.
The primary advantage of this model is that it significantly lowers the barrier to entry. Users do not need to research specific mining hardware models or hashrate configurations, nor do they need to set up their own system environments; simply by registering an account, depositing assets, and selecting a mining plan, they can start earning returns.
SHRMiner Platform Advantages:
- Supports daily automatic settlement
- No additional electricity or maintenance costs required
- Utilizes advanced ASIC mining hardware, powered by renewable energy sources including hydropower, wind power, and solar power
- Supports mining for multiple currencies: earn mainstream cryptocurrencies such as BTC, XRP, ETH, DOGE, USDC, USDT, SOL, LTC, and BCH.
- Equipped with SSL encryption and DDoS protection, a real-time earnings dashboard for easy monitoring of mining performance
- 100% remote access, fully accessible via the SHRMiner application or browser without hardware requirements, and 24/7 online technical support.
⦁Affiliate Program: The Affiliate Program allows you to earn up to 4.5% commission by referring friends, with the opportunity to earn an additional bonus of up to 30,000.
Examples of common contracts:
| Contract Name | Price | Profit | Days | Principal + Total Return |
| New User Experience Agreement | $100 | $4 | 2 | $100+$8 |
| Bitdeer Sealminer A2 Pro | $500 | $6.25 | 5 | $500.00 + $31.25 |
| Litecoin Miner L9 | $1000.00 | $13.00 | 10 | $1000.00 + $130 |
| Bitcoin Miner S21 XP Imm | $5000.00 | $70.00 | 25 | $5000.00 + $1750 |
| Bitcoin Miner S21e XP Hyd | $10000.00 | $150.00 | 35 | $10000.00 + $5250 |
| ANTSPACE HW5 | $50000.00 | $900.00 | 45 | $50000.00 + $40500 |
After purchasing a contract, earnings will be automatically credited to your account within 24 hours. Upon contract expiration, your principal will be returned in full. You may withdraw the principal or reinvest it to benefit from compound returns; please click here for more details regarding the mining contract.
Unimaginable money-making opportunities
What sets SHRMiner apart is its extraordinary daily passive income; users have the opportunity to earn $10,700 or even more each day, turning the dream of online wealth into reality. Imagine generating substantial income without the need for ongoing investment or complex setups—that is exactly what SHRMiner offers.
Safety and Sustainability
In the mining sector, trust and security are paramount; SHRMiner fully recognizes this and prioritizes user safety above all else. Committed to transparency and legitimacy, SHRMiner ensures your investment is protected, allowing you to focus on profitability. All mining facilities utilize clean energy, making this a carbon-conscious cloud mining operation. Renewable energy protects the environment from pollution while providing a powerful energy source.
In short
If you are looking for ways to generate passive income, cloud mining is an excellent choice. When approached correctly, these opportunities allow you to effortlessly build cryptocurrency wealth on “autopilot” with minimal time investment. At the very least, they are far less time-consuming than any form of active trading. Passive income is the ultimate goal for every investor and trader, and with SHRMiner, maximizing your passive income potential is easier than ever.
To learn more about SHRMiner, please visit the official website: https://shrminer.com
Complete List Of The Top Crypto Platforms in Nigeria: Where to Trade Safely
As a Nigerian just getting started in crypto trading, or someone trying to rebuild their confidence after a bad trading experience, the fear of losing your hard-earned money is valid. This is why choosing a reliable crypto platform to carry out your trading is very important.
The good news here is that there are several trusted crypto platforms built to serve Nigerian traders, offering secure trading, fast withdrawals, and competitive fees.
In this guide, you will discover the top crypto platforms in Nigeria, what makes each one stand out, and how to choose the best option based on your trading goals.
Top 4 crypto platforms in Nigeria
NOSH
Nosh is one of the top platforms in Nigeria and Ghana with the best crypto trading services, offering the best rates for crypto trading, allowing you to get good value for your digital assets. With its user-friendly interface and 24/7 customer support, it is a very good option whether you are a new or experienced crypto trader.
With Nosh, you get:
- Instant payouts on every transaction, no unnecessary waiting.
- Advanced fraud protection with two-factor authentication to keep your account and transactions secure.
- Easy and direct conversion of crypto to Naira or Cedis within a few minutes; no need for third-party apps whenever you are ready to cash out.
- High exchange rates.
- Transparent rates with a rate calculator to know how much you will be getting.
Nosh supports a variety of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Dogecoin, USDC, USDT, Ethereum, Tron, Litecoin, and Binance Coin.
KUCOIN
KuCoin is another popular crypto platform known for its P2P (peer-to-peer) marketplace. With KuCoin, you can trade your crypto directly with a buyer or sell your crypto directly with a seller. KuCoin holds the crypto in escrow until the seller accepts that they have received the payment; this is done to avoid fraud from the buyer or seller of the crypto.
With KuCoin, you get:
- To carry out P2P trading with escrow protection.
- To use multiple payment method options like bank transfer, USSD, and mobile-money-linked options.
- Offers competitive and relatively low trading fees, especially if you’re holding KCS (KuCoin’s native token).
- Gives you access to spot trading, futures/derivatives, staking, and other earn products
KuCoin supports stablecoins such as USDT, USDC, and TUSD.
COINCOLA
Coincola is also a top platform ranked as one of the best P2P trading platforms for Nigerians. With Coincola, you get to buy and sell your Bitcoin and USDT with real-time price tracking. Coincola is your go-to platform if you need one that offers flexible funding options like cash deposit and bank transfers. However, there have been reports of withdrawal delays.
With Coincola, you get;
- A P2P marketplace to buy/sell Bitcoin and other coins directly from vendors, with their completed-trade counts shown upfront so u can trade with caution.
- Instant BTC conversion with real-time price tracking
- To use multiple local funding options like bank transfer, cash deposit, and gift cards
- An escrow system that holds your money until a trade is confirmed.
Coincola supports cryptocurrencies like USDT and TRON.
YELLOWCARD
Yellowcard is another popular crypto platform that offers not only P2P trading but also allows you to buy and sell assets like USDT, USDC, PYUSD, BTC, and ETH with regional payment options like mobile money, bank transfers, and cash deposit. However, in 2025 they announced they no longer offer crypto-to-cash retail services.
With Yellowcard, you get:
- Direct access to buy and sell crypto rather than waiting to match with individual P2P counterparties.
- To use multiple funding methods like bank transfer, mobile money, and cash deposits.
- Free local and cross-border transfers via “Yellow Pay” to 20 different countries in Africa.
Factors to consider when choosing a crypto platform
- Don’t just look at the advertised trading fee. Some platforms hide the extra cost, so your actual rate ends up higher than expected. Do a small test trade first and see what you actually receive.
- The best platform in the world is useless to you if it doesn’t support how you actually move money, whether it’s bank transfer or mobile money. Check that before you even sign up, not after.
- Some platforms convert instantly; others, especially P2P ones, need you to wait for a counterparty to show up. If you need your money fast, that difference matters a lot.
- If you specifically need USDC or another less-common stablecoin, don’t assume it’s there on the platform. Double-check the coin list before you commit to one.
- Support should not be silent when something goes wrong. Look for evidence people actually got helped, not just a “24/7 support” badge.
- If a platform can’t tell you clearly how they protect your money, that’s a red flag on its own. Always go for one that prioritizes security.
FAQs
- Which crypto platform is best in Nigeria?
The best crypto platform in Nigeria is Nosh. Nosh offers the best rates for selling crypto with direct crypto-to-naira conversion to easily change your crypto to cash when needed.
- Can I teach myself crypto trading?
Yes, you can. There are many platforms and tutors with tutorial videos and lessons on how to start crypto trading on your own.
- What is the most popular crypto in Nigeria?
The most traded cryptocurrency in Nigeria is Bitcoin, making it the most popular.
Conclusion
When you trust the right platform, your journey in crypto trading is safe and secure. Always look out for crypto trading platforms that meet your needs alongside keeping things like payment options, a good list of coins they support, and other factors mentioned in this article before committing to one.
Always start with a small test trade first to see what you are getting; it will help you get a better idea of how the platform works so you don’t fall victim to hidden charges not included in price tags by some platforms.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Okitipupa Plc was the sole price gainer at the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange on Friday, August 7, lifting the trading platform by 0.44 per cent at the close of transactions.
The share price of the palm oil producer appreciated during the trading session by N25.00 or 9.0 per cent to N277.00 per unit compared with the previous day’s N252.00 per unit.
As a result, the market capitalisation gained N12.29 billion to close at N2,807 trillion, in contrast to the previous session’s N2.795 trillion, while the NASD Security Index (NSI) added 93.63 points to finish at 4,678.08 points compared with Thursday’s 4,657.59 points.
The bourse recorded a price loser yesterday, and this was Mass Telecoms Innovation Plc, which crashed by 3 Kobo or 9.4 per cent to settle at 32 Kobo per share versus the previous day’s 35 Kobo per share.
The volume of securities traded by investors plunged by 81.5 per cent to 535,7560 units from 2.9 million units, the value of securities slumped by 93.9 per cent to N6.0 million from N99.2 million, and the number of deals decreased by 41.9 per cent to 36 deals from 62 deals.
Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc remained the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units valued at N8.4 billion, followed by Infrastructure Credit Guarantee (Infracredit) Plc with 2.3 billion units transacted for N6.5 billion, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc with 77.0 million units exchanged for N5.5 billion.
GNI Plc also ended the day as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis, with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Infracredit Plc with 2.3 billion units valued at N6.5 billion, and Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units sold for N415.7 million.
