The sheepskin market in Ethiopia seems to have enjoyed the benefits of the economic liberalization policy since 1991, such as price deregulation and liberalization of economic activities. Close observation of the profiles and activities of the participants in the marketing channel, however, demonstrates that they have tried to complement a lack of appropriate infrastructure and legal protection, which should be provided by the government, by utilizing their social and blood ties. While these ties have implemented the role of the government, there are risks that the marketing channel might be developed on the basis of a coalition with social networks, and that the poor outside the networks would be excluded.