THE AGREEMENT, SIGNED ON THE SIDELINES OF THE “LEATHER SIDE EVENT” IN NAIROBI, IS ALIGNED WITH THE PRIORITIES OF THE MATTEI PLAN AND IS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN ITALY AND KENYA AND PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEATHER AND FOOTWEAR SECTOR IN THE AFRICAN COUNTRY, THROUGH ITALIAN TECHNOLOGIES AND MACHINERY
Vigevano - Nairobi, 26 march 2026 - Assomac, the national association of Italian manufacturers of footwear, leather goods and tanning technologies, announces that it has signed strategic agreements with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), on behalf of the Italian supply chain also represented by UNIC (tanning) and UNPAC (tanning chemicals), and with Equity Bank Kenya Limited to promote, through the supply of Italian technologies and machinery, the development of the leather value chain in Kenya.
Italian technology for the leather, footwear and leather goods sector represents a strategic industrial asset, capable of transforming raw materials into high value-added products that are highly competitive on global markets. With this in mind, the agreement – formalised today on the sidelines of the Leather Side Event in Nairobi, as part of the Kenya International Investment Conference, promoted by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry in partnership with the Kenya Leather Development Council and the Kenya Investment Authority – consolidates the collaboration with KAM and local technical centres, aiming to create a competitive and sustainable ecosystem capable of integrating Kenyan businesses into the sector’s global production chains. The partnership with Equity Bank Kenya Limited, meanwhile, will facilitate local buyers’ access to financial instruments for the purchase of Italian machinery and technology, enabling them to develop products in the future that meet international quality standards and strengthen their presence in foreign markets.
The initiative forms part of a framework consistent with the priorities of the Mattei Plan, representing a contribution by the Italian industrial sector to development dynamics and economic cooperation with African countries, and is part of the “Sistema Italia” approach, involving a coordinated effort by businesses, associations and institutions: from development cooperation, through the AICS Agency, to the internationalisation and promotion of Italian businesses with the support of ITA - Italian Trade Agency. All of this is closely coordinated with the Embassy of Italy in Nairobi and local government bodies to ensure the effective implementation of investment plans in the country.
The project also forms part of a broader framework of ongoing activities by Assomac in Africa, with initiatives already underway in Egypt, Niger, Senegal and Tunisia, and future prospects for Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco and Namibia.
Today’s meeting follows an initial exploratory mission last June, during which Assomac, together with the Italian associations UNIC and UNPAC, assessed Kenya’s potential in terms of raw materials, skills and industrial prospects, sharing a strategic document with local institutions and business leaders that helped to strengthen dialogue between the two countries and laid the foundations for the launch of the initiative.
The Italian footwear, leather goods and tanning technology sector, together with the tanning industry and related chemical products, has a well-established presence in the world’s main manufacturing hubs and plays an active role in the development of the leather industry supply chains. Over 70% of the sector’s production is destined for international markets, with significant exports to Europe, China, Vietnam, India, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa and various African countries undergoing industrialisation. In this context, Italian technologies provide concrete support for the emergence and growth of new supply chains, offering know-how, established regional clusters and globally recognised technological expertise.
Mauro Bergozza, President of Assomac, said: “This project promotes the development of a structured manufacturing system in which Italian technology and machinery play a leading role, representing a genuine strategic asset for the global leather industry. ‘Made in Italy’ does not only mean excellence and quality, but also the ability to transform raw materials into high value-added products. With our wealth of expertise and integrated supply chain models, we aim to make a tangible contribution to the development of sustainable and competitive production ecosystems worldwide, strengthening the potential for Kenyan companies to establish a presence in international markets.”
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Assomac
Assomac is the National Association of Italian Manufacturers of Footwear, Leather Goods and Tanning Technology. Founded in 1982, it represents a global reference point for technology applied to these sectors, with over 135 member companies exporting to more than 130 countries. Assomac's mission is to promote and enhance the technological expertise of its member companies, providing customers worldwide with customised solutions, sustainable technology, all-round support, optimal control and management, and continuous innovation. Assomac is a dynamic organisation, which is committed to fostering the growth of its member companies through the promotion of Made in Italy, opening up to new markets and access to innovative technologies. It is also active in creating a modern business culture, disseminating knowledge and sectorial skills and activating supply chain synergies, with the aim of becoming an international reference ‘Technological Square’: a place of meeting and comparison for all operators in the sector.
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