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How an east African country became an odd sort of global powerhouse

Kenya's fly-tying industry is a global powerhouse, dominating a niche market and supplying over 60% of the world's artificial flies for fishing rods.

  • Kenya is a global hub for fly-tying, with at least 60% of the world's supply of artificial flies tied there.
  • The industry started in the 1930s by a young Briton and grew into a cottage industry with scores of workshops across the country.
  • Most of the workers are paid piecemeal and the wages are modest, with some firms paying only the official minimum monthly wage of around $146.
  • The fly-tyers dominate a niche market and have left competitors sinking.
  • Kenya's fly-tyers are known for their ingenuity, speedy delivery, reliability and cheap wages.
How an east African country became an odd sort of global powerhouse
A cottage industry that adorns fishing rods on rivers across the world | Middle East & Africa

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