Kenya’s Nairobi County recently handed over the £279k Kariokor common leather manufacturing facility to the Kenyan Leather Development Council for renovation. The market, which hosted 1,000 traders, is expected to house at least 10,000 workers in three years. An opening date has not yet been announced. The aim is to support micro and small enterprises.
Standardised goods that are competitive locally, regionally and globally are expected to be manufactured in the renovated facility, according to media reports in the country. The leather factory’s automation will not only encourage enterprises and boost the shoe market, but also provide jobs.
Last June, the Nairobi government signed a £664k deal with the council to equip the factory. The facility is eventually expected to produce 10 million shoes up from the current 2 million.