The invention is directed to a process for the hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids to produce saturated fatty acids, said process comprising hydrogenating the unsaturated fatty acid in the presence of hydrogen and a supported nickel catalyst, said supported nickel catalyst comprising an oxidic support, 5 to 80 wt. % of nickel, calculated as metallic nickel on the weight of the catalyst, and 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a manganese promoter, calculated as MnO2 on the weight of the catalyst.