How Economic Recession Forced Over 2,000 Aba Shoemakers Close Their Shops

As the recession continues to take its toll on the economy, in the southeastern city of Aba – known as the ‘Japan of Africa’ more than 2,000 shoemakers have shut down because they cannot pay for imported glue or synthetic leather, whose prices have surged due to the scarcity of dollars.



Uche Okeke, who used to make 1,000 pairs of women’s shoes a month before the price of glue quadrupled, forcing him to nearly halve production and lay off half his 10 staff, said shoemakers in Ariaria International Market and other manufacturers in the city have never had it so tough.

He said with the inflated input costs, consumers in neighbouring Cameroon, who used to buy most of Aba’s shoes, are now opting for cheaper Chinese footwear. Until recently, three trucks laden with shoes and bags left the city for Cameroon every week.

Now it is one every fortnight, traders at the city’s almost deserted motor park said. Made in Aba products are undoubtedly the outcome of selfreliance entrepreneurship and product ingenuity. Apart from shoes, other products made in Aba abound.

This is despite the challenges ranging from inadequate capital, epileptic power supplies, bad roads, high costs of acquiring modern industrial machines, raw materials among others. A visit to the shoe sections of Ariaria Aba shoemakers International Market, Aba reveals the ingenuity and the enterprising spirit of the Igbo man.

The ever busy industrial hubs of the market are home for shoes of all sizes and shapes. These sections comprise Bakassi Zone, Shoe Plaza, Power Line, and Imo Avenue spanning over two square kilometres. All four sections are populated with artisans who churn out foot wears of different kinds like the queen bee.

The market is estimated to house over 70, 000 shoemakers besides apprentices under their tutelage. When visited the market on Monday, many workshops were locked while the open ones were busy doing what they know how to do best despite some daunting challenges.