Connect with Industry Leaders at Footwear Expo

Kenya presents promising business opportunities in footwear, leather handbags and manufacturing technologies, driven by import demand, expanding commercial activity and the government’s ambition to strengthen domestic production. According to World Bank WITS data based on UN Comtrade, Kenya imported approximately US$9.13 million worth of footwear with leather uppers and rubber or plastic soles in 2024, alongside US$697,370 worth of handbags with leather outer surfaces and approximately US$3.08 million in other handbags. Beyond finished products, the country is investing in the development of its domestic leather value chain through modernisation, technology adoption and industrial infrastructure. The government’s proposed 500-acre Kenanie Leather Industrial Park in Machakos County aims to establish an integrated manufacturing hub for leather processing, footwear production and allied industries. Initiatives to develop leather manufacturing centres across Kenya’s 47 counties also seek to improve access to machinery, technical training and production facilities for local manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises. The country has articulated ambitions to increase the leather industry’s value from approximately KSh 15 billion to KSh 120 billion and expand employment from 17,000 to 100,000 jobs. These developments create opportunities for international manufacturers, exporters, investors and technology providers across the entire value chain, including footwear, handbags, leather goods, components, accessories, cutting and stitching machinery, automation, tanning and finishing equipment, and sustainable manufacturing solutions. Kenya’s established trade networks and position as a commercial gateway to East Africa further enhance its appeal as a market for international business expansion. For global industry players, Kenya offers opportunities not only to supply finished products but also to participate in technology transfer, joint ventures, manufacturing partnerships and investment in a developing leather industry.