_…Nigerian envoy, Ikpeazu engages Alicante footwear manufacturers, explores training, investment and business partnerships to boost local production_
*By Danjuama Amodu*
Nigeria has begun exploring strategic partnerships with Spain’s established footwear industry to modernise local shoe manufacturing, improve production standards and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian manufacturers in domestic and international markets.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Victor Ikpeazu, made the move during a visit to Alicante Province on Monday, November 2, where he held discussions with leading Spanish footwear industry stakeholders on technology transfer, technical training, innovation and business-to-business partnerships.
According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, Ikpeazu met with the President of the Valencian Association of Footwear Manufacturers Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), Vicente Pastor Perez, as well as representatives of the footwear technology centre, INESCOP, and manufacturers Pikolinos and Hispanitas.
The engagement is part of efforts by the Nigerian Mission to connect local footwear manufacturers with Spain’s established manufacturing ecosystem and create opportunities for skills development, industrial cooperation and investment.
At INESCOP, a footwear technology and innovation centre based in Elda, Alicante, the ambassador was received by its Director of Technologies and Materials, Elena Orgilés Calpena, who conducted him round the facility to showcase its technological capabilities, research activities and manufacturing standards.
INESCOP works with more than 400 member companies across different countries, providing support for advances in footwear design, materials and manufacturing processes.
Discussions focused on how its technical expertise could be adapted to strengthen Nigeria’s footwear industry, particularly through specialised training, technology transfer, quality management, certification and innovation.
The parties also explored capacity-building programmes for Nigerian technicians, manufacturers and industry-support organisations, with emphasis on sustainability, improved productivity and compliance with international quality standards.
Speaking during the engagements, Ikpeazu highlighted the entrepreneurial capacity and ingenuity of Nigerian footwear manufacturers, noting that many had continued to produce different categories of shoes manually despite limited access to modern technology and advanced manufacturing equipment.
He said the Nigerian Embassy was prepared to facilitate direct engagements between interested Nigerian entrepreneurs and their Spanish counterparts to encourage partnerships and business-to-business matchmaking.
At his meeting with AVECAL, Pikolinos and Hispanitas, the ambassador explored opportunities for structured collaboration, including knowledge-sharing platforms, technical exchanges, joint programmes and exposure to modern production processes.
The visit to Pikolinos provided an opportunity to examine practical aspects of industrial footwear production, while discussions with Hispanitas centred on strengthening commercial and technical relationships between manufacturers in both countries.
Pastor Perez assured the ambassador of AVECAL’s willingness to work with the Nigerian Embassy to establish the necessary arrangements for sustained engagement between Spanish footwear businesses and Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The association also expressed readiness to explore practical cooperation that could facilitate access to industry expertise, training opportunities and potential business partnerships.
Ikpeazu said closer engagement with Spain’s footwear manufacturing cluster, particularly in the Valencia region and Alicante Province, could offer Nigerian manufacturers opportunities to upgrade their production capabilities, improve product quality and expand their access to international markets.
He identified technology transfer, specialised training and sustained industry dialogue as important elements in building a more competitive Nigerian footwear sector.
The Spanish industry representatives also expressed willingness to explore concrete cooperation mechanisms, including technical exchanges, training attachments and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The ambassador was accompanied on the visit by the Senior Counsellor, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, and First Secretary, Mr. Likson Dadi.
The engagement forms part of the Nigerian Mission’s broader economic diplomacy initiative aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, promoting industrial partnerships and supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to stimulate manufacturing and economic development under President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms.
