Meatco's Okapuka Tannery Sets African Sustainability Benchmark

Meatco’s Okapuka Tannery has successfully completed its latest sustainability audit conducted by the Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF), marking an important milestone in its drive towards internationally recognised environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

The Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF) is an international, not-for-profit Organisation that promotes responsible and sustainable practices across the global leather value chain. Its framework assesses leather-producing facilities against environmental, social and governance standards, providing an important benchmark for responsible production and transparency.

Meatco Interim Chief Executive Officer, Ambassador Albertus Aochamub, said the achievement demonstrates Namibia’s ability to compete in premium global markets through responsible production and greater value addition.

“This milestone is about more than compliance. It demonstrates that Namibia can transform its livestock resources into premium, traceable and responsibly produced products that meet the expectations of international markets. Our ambition is to ensure that greater value from every animal remains in Namibia.”

Okapuka Tannery processes locally sourced, traceable Namibian cattle hides into high-quality, full-substance wet blue leather. Its products are currently exported to Italy, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ghana, with further opportunities being pursued in the European Union, SADC, AfCFTA and Asian markets.

The Tannery supplies leather for applications including the automotive, furniture and garment industries.

Aochamub said Meatco’s ambition is to progressively move further up the leather value chain.
“We must move beyond exporting intermediate products and unlock more value here at home. Finished leather and other higher-value products present opportunities for industrialisation, jobs, export earnings and stronger returns from Namibia’s livestock sector.”

The milestone supports Meatco’s broader strategy of maximising value from Namibia’s livestock resources while contributing to Vision 2030 and NDP6 priorities for industrialisation, value addition, export growth and employment creation.