Nigeria and Spain are exploring collaboration in footwear technology, skills development and knowledge transfer to strengthen local manufacturing capacity and improve the competitiveness of Nigerian products.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Mr Victor Ikpeazu, said the proposed partnership would provide opportunities for Nigerian footwear manufacturers to access advanced production technologies, specialised training and international industry expertise.
Ikpeazu spoke on Wednesday during a meeting with Mr Vicente Perez, President of the Valencian Association of Footwear Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), in Alicante, Spain.
The meeting also involved representatives of the Footwear Technology Centre (INESCOP), Pikolinos and Hispanitas.
According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, the ambassador was accompanied by Mr Imomotimi Ebienfa, Senior Counsellor, and Mr Likson Dadi, First Secretary.
Ikpeazu commended Spain for developing a strong footwear manufacturing cluster in the Valencia region, especially in Alicante, saying its expertise offered opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers to improve production processes and product quality.
He identified INESCOP, a footwear technology and innovation centre in Elda, Alicante, as a potential partner for technology transfer and capacity building.
According to him, the centre’s experience in footwear design, materials and manufacturing processes could support efforts to modernise Nigeria’s footwear industry.
He said Nigerian entrepreneurs had demonstrated the capacity to produce different categories of footwear through local ingenuity, but needed improved access to modern technology and specialised technical skills.
“The Embassy is willing to facilitate a meeting between interested Nigerian entrepreneurs and their Spanish counterparts to foster collaborations and business-to-business matchmaking,” he said.
Ikpeazu added that the centre had more than 400 member companies across different countries, providing a platform for international cooperation in footwear manufacturing.
During the visit, Ms Elena Calpena, Director of Technologies and Materials at the centre, conducted the Nigerian delegation round its facilities and showcased its production technologies, research capabilities and quality standards.
The engagement focused on identifying opportunities for technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, innovation and capacity-building programmes to strengthen Nigeria’s footwear industry.
The Spanish industry representatives expressed readiness to explore cooperation with Nigerian manufacturers through technical exchanges, training and knowledge sharing.
The statement said the visit formed part of the Nigerian Mission’s economic diplomacy efforts to attract foreign investment, promote industrial partnerships and support manufacturing development in line with President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms. (NAN)
