KAMPALA, Uganda — East African countries are looking to unlock the region’s underutilized leather industry potential, as stakeholders met in Kampala earlier this month to chart a path forward for the sector.
The three-day EAC Regional Leather Platform Meeting, held April 3–5, brought together government officials, private sector players, and development partners to identify key interventions under the East African Community’s (EAC) Leather and Leather Products Strategy 2020–2030. The strategy, supported by the East African Business Council (EABC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) through the EU-funded MARKUP II program, targets increased value addition and sustainable industrialization.
Despite the region’s abundance of raw materials—home to 4% of the world’s cattle and 6% of small ruminants—East Africa continues to export large volumes of unprocessed hides and skins. Officials say the region has yet to fully tap into opportunities to produce higher-value goods such as finished leather, footwear, and accessories.
“The leather sector is a vital economic driver, and through the Leather Platform, we’re uniting the industry to push for quality and policy harmonization to compete globally,” said Jimmy Odhiambo, chairperson of the Leather Platform and a representative from Kenya’s Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.
Industry players say limited processing infrastructure, poor-quality raw hides, and high production costs remain key barriers. Addressing those challenges could help position East Africa as a competitive player in the global leather market while creating local jobs.
“The leather industry has deep historical roots in East Africa,” said Jean Baptiste Havugimana, director of productive sectors at the EAC Secretariat. “The Secretariat is committed to tackling persistent challenges through regional strategies focused on value addition, technology, and market access.”
Estimates presented during the meeting suggest the sector could generate up to $1.5 billion in annual exports and create 500,000 direct jobs if existing bottlenecks are addressed.
Participants called for increased investment in processing facilities, harmonized policies across EAC member states, and stronger public-private partnerships to drive innovation and sustainability.
Site visits during the meeting included a Ugandan fashion brand known for handcrafted leather goods and Kyambogo University’s Department of Leather and Textile Technology, where participants explored local innovations and training efforts aimed at strengthening the value chain.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of aligning national efforts under a regional framework to build a globally competitive leather industry in East Africa.
