This project was approved by the CFC's Executive Board in October 2002. Tanzania was a late addition to the project and their participation was approved by the CFC's Executive Board in April 2003 as a separate project with an individual budget and project documents.

Since both projects shared the same PEA and implementation in the other countries had not started, a decision was made to have the two projects implemented as one.

The project aimed at helping the hides and skins sectors of the participating countries to improve collection of raw hides and skins as well as improving the image of leather and leather products from those countries through improved quality, thereby boosting trade.

Specific activities included:
- Training various stakeholders or interested parties in proper flaying methods, improved preservation techniques, collection methods and proper storage and transportation methods;
- Assessing the grading system and designing a suitable system of grading that is market based;
- Introducing inspection and certification systems for hides and skins;
- Identifying marketing constraints and improving the marketing capacities of selected enterprises;
- Promoting the use of e-commerce as a marketing tool through the already existing Africanleather.com web site;
- Project management and coordination to ensure smooth implementation of the project and dissemination of project results.