Italy has taken a bold step to help revive the leather and tanning industry in Kenya and across East and Central Africa. The move comes with support from Equity Bank, which will act as the main financial partner.
At a stakeholder meeting held at the Equity Centre in Nairobi, Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, said the initiative is meant to deepen the ties between Italy and Kenya, especially in the leather sector.
“A delegation of leather industry experts and players from Italy is here with me, ready to explore ways to build capacity, establish more tanneries and help develop and maintain an efficient leather supply chain in East and Central Africa. These efforts are aimed at adding value to the over five million skins of animals that go to waste yearly in Kenya”
Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya
Natali added that Kenya has what it takes to become a regional leader in leather production. With its large livestock base and improving infrastructure, the country can become a key hub for processing leather and making leather products.
He also said the visit by the Italian delegation includes field visits to farms, slaughterhouses, tanneries and manufacturers.
Kenyan officials welcomed the collaboration. Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, through Kenya Leather Development Council CEO Dr. Isaack Noor, said the government is working hard to boost the leather sector.
This includes better training for slaughterhouse staff and building infrastructure like the Kenanie Leather Industrial Park.
“We are keen on increasing the supply of quality hides and skins by training slaughterhouse staff, developing the necessary infrastructure such as the Kenanie Leather Industrial Park in Machakos County, to facilitate aggregation for smallholder farmers as well as negotiating global agreements and supporting skills development”
Dr. Isaack Noor, CEO, Kenya Leather Development Council
He also assured foreign investors that their investments will be protected under Kenyan laws.
Equity Group’s Chief Strategy Officer Brent Malahay highlighted how the bank will support the sector through the Africa Recovery and Resilience Plan (ARRP).
He said the leather industry is among the key growth areas that Equity is focusing on, alongside sectors like energy and transport.
“Illustrating Equity’s diverse investment focus, sectors like transport and energy have also been prioritized for investment. Kenya also has a competitive advantage, which positions the country to soon become a regional or even global hub in the leather sector”
Brent Malahay, Chief Strategy Officer, Equity Group
He shared details about how Equity can help support the industry, including access to finance for 13 registered tanneries, nearly 50 large slaughterhouses, over 300 medium ones, and more than 1,700 slaughter slabs.
The Italian delegation included experts from UNPAC, UNIC, and ICEC—top Italian organizations in leather chemicals, tanning and quality certification. They visited local players such as Farmers Choice, Reddamac Leather Centre, Ikwetta, and Alpharama.
Agostino Apolito of ASSOMAC, which represents Italy’s leather machinery makers, emphasized the value of working closely with Kenyan farmers and traders.
“Italy is a global leader in the leather products industry, and we want to work with Kenyan and African farmers and other leather industry players to support them through skills and technology transfer and enhanced European market access”
Agostino Apolito, General Director, ASSOMAC
Sambasiva Rao Pamidimukkala, Managing Director of Alpharama Tannery, shared how his company has grown across East Africa and now exports globally thanks to support from Equity.
“We continue to support farmers and help them maintain quality of skins and hides, even as we eye expansion across the region”
Sambasiva Rao Pamidimukkala, Managing Director, Alpharama Tannery
This exchange builds on an earlier meeting held four months ago and follows a cooperation agreement between Equity and the Kenya Investment Authority. The goal is to attract investments into Kenya, starting with the leather sector.
