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An Exploration into the Successful Development of the Leather‐Shoe Industry in Ethiopia

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  • Tetsushi Sonobe
  • John E. Akoten
  • Keijiro Otsuka

Abstract

The leather‐shoe industry in Ethiopia is thriving, and in the early 2000s it managed to recover the domestic market which had once been swept by imported Chinese shoes. Using primary enterprise‐level data, this paper finds that the industry has been growing not only because of a number of new entrants but also because of the growth of enterprises that have been improving product quality and developing new marketing systems. Such multifaceted improvements have been introduced by highly educated entrepreneurs, who have successfully expanded the size of their enterprises. This development pattern is similar to that commonly found in East Asia.

Suggested Citation

  • Tetsushi Sonobe & John E. Akoten & Keijiro Otsuka, 2009. "An Exploration into the Successful Development of the Leather‐Shoe Industry in Ethiopia," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(4), pages 719-736, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:rdevec:v:13:y:2009:i:4:p:719-736
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9361.2009.00526.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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