Main Activities and Economic Resources
Meckhe is a well-known city in Senegal, located in the north-west of the country, between Dakar and Saint-Louis. It lies in the department of Tivaouane within the region of Thiès.
Economic activity is centered on agriculture, handicrafts, commerce and cattle breeding.
Traditional handicrafts, such as leatherworkings, leather work, pottery, textile, basket work, and many others craftworks, are produced mainly in Meckhe and it’s surrounding by very skilled artisans.
The economy of Meckhe is driven by handcrafts, which is the main source of employment in this area (Meckhe and its surrounding).
These sandals are handmade by the people of Ngaye in the region of Thiès north of Senegal. The artisans there are known to be perfectionists because of their high-end quality products. Our Ngaye Sandals are made from rich leather that is strong, yet soft; therefore, it delivers long-lasting durability on a variety of surfaces.
Nowadays, Meckhe is well known to be the biggest city in Senegal where artisanal work is the main activity. Without doubt, we can say that over 80% of its population is active if the different fields including leatherwork, textile, pottery, basket work to name just a few. The knowledge is transmitted from generation with youngest that went to school and then converted into their parent’s craft shops.
The very well know activity that gave to Meckhe its notoriety is the leatherwork with shoes, bags, belts and many other articles made in leather. The label “DALLU NGAAY” is famous in Senegal as well as outside of the country. Besides that, many are the others articles made by hand by mostly women and including clothes, pottery, basket work …
Industrial production in Meckhe is shy as artisans are sticking in the informal due to a lack of organization and the fact that they do not have the heavy machines needed to produce in quantity. Handicraft production unities are established but are still working as family business.
Meckhe is the leading producer of leatherwork and handcrafts work in Senegal. That’s why Meckhe is named “capital du cuir” (leather capital), instituted by the president of the republic in 2019. However, the world market for these products faces the competition from mainly Chinese firms copying the same products and selling them to a lower price. They, of course, are better organized and there is no protection for the local artisans that can prevent those Chinese firms to infiltrate and impose their products.
By Abdoulaye Guisse
General Secretary
____________________________________________________________