#localproduction

Local production reduces transport impact and improves supply reliability.

By Ago Abel

There’s a tendency, especially among outsiders, to view Africa’s manufacturing potential in narrow terms—raw materials, extractives, maybe textiles. But sometimes the most transformative industries are the simplest. Everyday products. Products like soap and paper.

At LELEADER GROUP, we’ve spent a good part of the last decade observing and engaging with these sectors. Not because they’re trendy, but because they’re essential. And perhaps overlooked.

Let’s start with soap.

Cleanliness. Hygiene. Dignity. The value of soap goes far beyond its price tag. In regions where water access is uneven and healthcare stretched thin, access to affordable, locally produced soap can make a measurable difference in public health.

Years ago, we started supporting a small soap production unit under our consumer goods division. At first, the goal was modest—create employment, offer a low-cost hygiene option to rural communities, and reduce import reliance. But the demand surprised us.

Markets in Parakou, Porto-Novo, and even cross-border towns in Nigeria started asking for more. Why? Because it was familiar. It smelled right. It worked. And it was available.

That last part is key. Imported soap often gets held up at ports, or becomes unaffordable when foreign exchange rates swing. Local production, even if imperfect, offers consistency. And consistency builds trust.

We’re now seeing a quiet revolution—small and medium producers investing in semi-automated equipment, training staff, experimenting with natural oils and fragrances. Some even tackling eco-packaging. The industry isn’t massive yet, but it’s gaining depth.

And with it, jobs. Especially for women.

One of our factory partners outside Cotonou employs mostly women—many of whom were previously informal traders. Now, they have stable income, skills they can take elsewhere if needed, and a sense of ownership. That matters.

Now, paper. A bit more complicated.

Africa consumes a lot of paper. But produces relatively little. Most paper—especially printing and packaging material—is still imported from Asia or Europe. That’s slowly changing.

In Benin and neighboring countries, we’re starting to see renewed interest in domestic paper production. The drivers? Rising import costs, a growing e-commerce packaging sector, and rising awareness of recycling potential.

At LELEADER, through our logistics and trading services, we’ve been supporting a few pilot programs—converting post-consumer waste into pulp, trialing small-scale local paper mills, working with urban waste cooperatives.

It’s early. Sometimes frustrating. Machinery breaks. Yields are inconsistent. But the opportunity is there. Schools need exercise books. Businesses need packaging. Governments need forms. And increasingly, they want affordable and local.

We’ve also started sourcing paper machinery from India—more affordable and simpler to maintain than some European models. Again, not flashy. But practical. That’s what will grow this sector. Not one giant factory, but dozens of smaller, resilient ones.

So, where does it go from here?

I think—slowly. Realistically. These industries won’t become headline-grabbers. But they’ll quietly power employment, reduce import dependency, and build industrial literacy.

And it’s not just about production. It’s about systems. Logistics to move raw materials. Finance to scale operations. Regulation that encourages local content.

That’s the space where LELEADER operates. Not just as a producer or trader—but as a builder of frameworks.

And it’s that systems-thinking approach that earned us a nomination for the 2025 Go Global Awards, taking place this November in London. Hosted by the International Trade Council, the event brings together companies solving problems in practical, scalable ways.

To us, it’s more than an award. It’s a moment to step into global conversations about industry—not from the sidelines, but as contributors. Africa has manufacturing insights the world can learn from. Truly.

And yes, we’re proud to bring a perspective shaped in Benin to that stage.

If you’re reading this as an entrepreneur, a policymaker, or simply a curious observer—here’s what I’d offer:

Don’t underestimate the impact of the everyday. Soap and paper may seem small, but they touch lives in profound ways.

And in building these industries, we’re not just creating jobs. We’re building supply chains, teaching factory skills, shifting mindsets—from consumer economies to productive ones.

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has encouraged local manufacturers to actively explore the export potential of their products by seeking essential market information and following proper procedures. Hadiza Kashiat, Head of Product and Marketing Department at NEPC’s Ogun State office, delivered this message during a Strategic Focus Group meeting organized by the National Agency for…