Greening SME leather clusters and the leather tanning industry

Kenya has 14 operating tanneries, most of which face challenges pertaining to limited modernization and effluent management. Approximately 95% of the leather produced is being exported in a semi-processed state (wet blue), earning approximately $160 million a year. The production of finished products such as footwear is dominated by micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises that face enormous challenges that undermine their competitiveness, with productivity running at around three pairs of shoes per person per day, compared to productivity of more than 15 pairs per person per day in China, India, Thailand, Brazil and Türkiye. This project provides an opportunity to address the underlying factors studied in order to support the sustainable development of the leather sector in selected regions and enhance its potential for regional and international trade integration.