Nairobi, Kenya was the center stage for a pivotal moment in the region's leather industry, culminating in the official launch of the COMESA Regional Leather Value Chain Strategy (2025-2029) on March 28, 2025. Preceding the launch, a focused two-day dialogue workshop, organized by the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), was conducted from March 27-28. The workshop serves to introduce and deliberate on the new five-year strategic plan designed to elevate the leather sector across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
The strategy's primary ambition is to solidify COMESA's position as a significant and competitive force within the global leather marketplace. It aims to achieve this by catalyzing the industrialization of the leather sector, promoting widespread economic transformation, and bolstering trade competitiveness throughout the value chain. Ultimately, the goal is to maximize the economic returns and benefits for the citizens and economies of COMESA's Member States through a revitalized and strategically directed leather industry.
The development and unveiling of this comprehensive strategy were made possible through the organizational efforts of ALLPI, with critical financial support provided by the European Union. This funding was channeled through the 11th European Development Fund as an integral component of the COMESA Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Access to Markets Programme (RECAMP), highlighting a strong partnership aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth within the region.