According to experts, Kenya’s leather sector needs to follow international trends in order to prosper in foreign markets. Speaking at the COMESA Regional Leather Value Chain Strategy Validation workshop in Nairobi, leaders from member states emphasized the need for the leather industry to embrace sustainable practices and green technologies in view of the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly goods.
Kenya’s Industrialization Secretary, Nobby Macharia, emphasized the significance of the strategic plan in promoting industrial growth. In recent years, Kenya’s leather sector has seen varying degrees of success. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reports that the nation imported leather goods for Sh5.7 billion in just the previous year.
This high import rate is a reflection of the difficulties the local sector has faced in maintaining its competitiveness, including poor infrastructure and restricted access to contemporary technologies.
“This validated strategic plan will act as a road map for revolutionizing our sector, boosting its worldwide competitiveness, and generating long-term employment opportunities for our people,” Macharia stated. Recognized as a vital first step in tackling these issues and realizing the leather industry’s full potential, the workshop confirmed the strategic plan. Kenya and the larger COMESA region may position themselves as major players in the global leather market, generating economic growth and millions of jobs, by embracing sustainable methods and keeping up with global market trends.
But the industry has a lot of obstacles to overcome, such as poor infrastructure, restricted access to contemporary technologies, and a labor shortage. These problems have made it difficult for the area to effectively compete in the international economy and fully utilize its resources.
Participants in the workshop included important players and leaders in the industry from all around the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), all of whom were keen to contribute to the future of the leather industry in Africa.
