According to Star on June 22, Equity Bank has become a key financial catalyst for Kenya's partnership with Italy, aimed at revitalizing the country's once thriving leather and tanning industry. The bank has committed to providing strategic support to Italian partners interested in investing in Kenya, as part of a broad initiative to strengthen the industry and promote sustainable economic growth. At a high-level stakeholder meeting held at the Nairobi Equity Centre, this initiative gained attention, with Italian Ambassador to Kenya Roberto Natali praising the partnership as a "milestone event" in deepening bilateral economic relations. Ambassador Natali stated, "Accompanying me is a delegation of Italian leather industry experts and practitioners who are ready to explore capacity building pathways, build additional tanneries, support the development of East and Central Africa, and maintain an efficient leather supply chain. These efforts aim to create added value for the over 5 million pieces of raw leather wasted annually in Kenya." The ambassador reiterated Italy's commitment to transferring professional knowledge, advanced technology, and industry best practices to Kenya's leather industry. He emphasized that this move will help Kenya transform into a regional leather production center.
