Livestock experts want East African countries to invest more in the processing of hides and skins in order to increase revenue.

Largely neglected as a village-based enterprise for arid and semi-arid areas, the experts argue that the leather sub-sector could inject additional revenue into regional economies through value addition.

According to the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Livestock Development Kenneth Lusaka, the region currently loses the potential value addition for 4.5 million cattle and 14.5 million goats and sheep annually. This is accompanied by an estimated loss of up to $200 million in potential investment, over 60,000 job opportunities and an unestimated loss in investment in footwear and other leather goods.

Read more (The East African)