Dissertation (MA Business Administration)This study, seeks to describe the contributions of hides and skins to the small scale livestock keepers in Tanzania. The study was conducted at Kwimba District in Mwanza Tanzania. A cross sectional research design was adopted; a sample size of 151 respondents was obtained through both purposive and non-purposive sampling techniques. The study has used both quantitative and non-qualitative methods for data analysis. Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) and Excel were used to analyze data. Findings have revealed that, skins and hides value chain in Kwmba District was characterised with five nodes which were: livestock keepers, slaughter house operators, hides and skin traders and leather processors. Findings have revealed that, skins and hides business has played a significant role to create employment and increased income. 35.8% of the respondents generated income between TZS 500,000 to TZS 1,000,000 from the skins and hides last year.27.8% generated income between TZS 100,000- TZS 500,000 from. This study also, found out challenges that faced livestock keepers in hides and skin business. Low price (28.6%), quality deterioration (18.5%), inadequate number of abattoirs (14.6%), lack of capital (13.2%) as well as Poor infrastructure. This study recommend the stakeholders in leather industry to take advantage of this in a successful way and the government in re-formulating policies for promoting and strengthening leather sector in Tanzania, development practitioners on issues pertaining to implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).