The African leather industry is an important strategic sector for the economic and  Industrial development of many African countries. Despite having an abundant and renewable resource base in Africa’s large population of cows, sheep and goats, among others, Kenya remains significantly less competitive than global leaders, including China, Italy, Vietnam and Ethiopia, in all the leather and leather competitiveness indicators.  

As Kenya strives to become an industrialized middle-income country by 2030,  developing the leather and leather goods sector offers an opportunity for industrialization and diversification of exports. In addition, the leather and leather products development along the value chain is critical, as Kenya targets the manufacturing sector to raise the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic  Product (GDP) from less than 9% to 15% by 2030.   

Concept notes should be submitted electronically to grants@researchfund.go.ke by Friday, 31st March 2023.

Only successful applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.