ASSOMAC from Italy signed strategic agreements during the Leather Side Event at the Kenya International Investment Conference in Nairobi on March 26, 2026, and continued talks on March 27 to expand cooperation.

The initiative focuses on upgrading Kenya’s leather, footwear and leather goods sector with better technology, skills and financial access.

The Leather Side Event, organised under the Kenya International Investment Conference by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry along with the Kenya Leather Development Council and InvestKenya, brought together key industry players on March 26, 2026.

ASSOMAC represented Italian leather machinery manufacturers, alongside UNIC – Concerie Italiane and UNPAC, and partnered with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Equity Bank.

The agreements aim to strengthen Kenya’s leather value chain by improving professional skills, enabling access to advanced Italian machinery and supporting businesses with credit solutions.

The initiative follows a coordinated “Sistema Italia” approach, involving institutions like AICS and ITA working with the Italian Embassy in Nairobi to support investment execution.

On March 27, KLDC hosted an ASSOMAC delegation for further discussions. Both sides explored technical support, capacity building and technology transfer, especially to modernise tanning processes and improve solid waste recovery.

They also discussed setting up more Common Manufacturing Facilities across Kenya, expanding technical training and exploring investment opportunities in the Kenya Leather Industrial Park.

Both sides agreed to deepen collaboration to boost value addition, competitiveness and sustainability in Kenya’s leather industry.