East Africa is sitting on major export opportunities in leather, textiles and edible oils, but is capturing only a fraction of the global market. The region accounts for four percent of the world’s cattle and six percent of its small ruminants, yet contributes less than one percent of global leather exports. Businesses also have an estimated 298 million US dollars in untapped export potential for apparel and textiles, 63 million dollars in vegetable oils, and 17 million dollars in leather products. The East African Business Council is calling for greater investment in value addition and manufacturing, arguing that this would enable local businesses to produce more competitively and take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area.