Nitriles are hydrogenated to primary amines over an activated, alpha-Al2O3-containing, macroporous Raney catalyst based on an alloy of aluminum and at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt and nickel, and, if desired, one or more further transition metals selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, chromium and manganese, which is obtainable by a process comprising the steps in the order (a)-(f): (a) preparing a kneadable composition comprising the alloy, a shaping aid, water and a pore former; (b) shaping the kneadable composition to form a shaped body; (c) calcining the shaped body; (d) activating the calcined shaped body by treatment with aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution; (e) rinsing the shaped catalyst body with aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution; (f) rinsing the shaped catalyst body with water.