Ethiopian Leather Industries Association, ELIA, was first founded in 1994 as the Ethiopian Tanners Association. In the year 2004 the name was changed to the Ethiopian Tanners, Footwear and Leather Products Manufacturing Association to allow footwear and leather garments and articles full participation in the Association.

The name was again changed, as of January 2007 to the Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA). ELIA Incorporates Footwear, Leather Garments & Goods and Tanners operating in the country.