Nigeria, Spain Deepen Footwear Industry Ties as Ikpeazu Seeks Technology Transfer

Nigeria is exploring strategic partnerships with Spanish footwear manufacturers to modernise local production, strengthen technical capacity and improve the global competitiveness of its footwear industry.

The initiative followed a visit by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, to Alicante Province on Monday, November 2, 2026, where he held discussions with leading Spanish footwear industry stakeholders on collaboration, technology transfer and skills development.

According to a statement issued by the Embassy of Nigeria in Madrid, Ikpeazu met with the President of the Valencian Association of Footwear Manufacturers and Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), Vicente Pastor Perez, as well as representatives of the footwear companies Pikolinos and Hispanitas and the footwear technology centre, INESCOP.

The Ambassador was accompanied by the Embassy’s Senior Counsellor, Mr Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, and First Secretary, Mr Likson Dadi.

A major highlight of the visit was Ikpeazu’s tour of INESCOP, a footwear technology centre based in Elda, Alicante, a region historically recognised for its shoemaking industry.

The centre, which works with more than 400 member companies across different countries, provides technical support and promotes innovation in footwear design, materials, manufacturing processes and quality standards.

Ikpeazu was received by INESCOP’s Director of Technologies and Materials, Elena Orgilés Calpena, who conducted him around the facility and showcased its technological capabilities, research infrastructure and manufacturing innovations.

Discussions focused on technical cooperation, innovation, quality assurance and capacity-building opportunities that could be adapted to Nigeria’s footwear manufacturing sector.

Both sides also explored possible training programmes for Nigerian technicians, manufacturers and industry support organisations, alongside opportunities for technology transfer, certification, quality management and the adoption of sustainable production methods.

The engagement is expected to provide Nigerian footwear producers with exposure to modern manufacturing techniques and international industry standards.

At separate meetings with AVECAL, Pikolinos and Hispanitas, Ikpeazu highlighted the entrepreneurial abilities of Nigerian footwear makers, noting that local manufacturers already produce different categories of shoes through largely manual processes despite limited access to advanced technology.

He said stronger partnerships with Spanish manufacturers could help Nigerian businesses move beyond traditional production methods, improve product quality and expand their presence in domestic and international markets.

The Ambassador also offered the Embassy’s support in facilitating direct engagements between interested Nigerian entrepreneurs and Spanish industry players.

He proposed business-to-business meetings to create opportunities for partnerships, knowledge exchange, technical assistance and commercial cooperation.

At the meeting with AVECAL, discussions centred on structured partnerships, industry best practices, knowledge-sharing platforms and possible joint programmes to strengthen the capacity and competitiveness of Nigerian footwear enterprises.

Representatives of Pikolinos also shared practical industry insights, including production processes and operational approaches, while exploring possible areas of cooperation with Nigerian manufacturers seeking to modernise their businesses and access wider markets.

Ikpeazu further visited the facilities of Hispanitas and AVECAL headquarters as part of efforts to establish stronger institutional and commercial relationships between the two countries.

The AVECAL president assured the Ambassador of the association’s willingness to work with the Nigerian Embassy to develop the necessary arrangements for connecting Spanish footwear businesses with interested Nigerian entrepreneurs.

The association’s commitment is expected to support future engagements, including technical exchanges, training attachments and business partnerships.

Ikpeazu emphasised that closer engagement with Spain’s established footwear manufacturing cluster, particularly in the Valencia region and Alicante Province, presents opportunities for Nigeria to strengthen its local industry.

He identified technology transfer, specialised training and sustained collaboration as critical components of efforts to upgrade production capacity, improve quality and make Nigerian footwear more competitive.

Spanish industry representatives, according to the Embassy, expressed readiness to explore practical cooperation frameworks that would deliver mutual benefits through technical exchanges, training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

The visit forms part of the Nigerian Mission’s broader economic diplomacy drive to connect Nigerian businesses with international investors, manufacturers and technical institutions.

It also aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic reform agenda to attract foreign direct investment, promote industrial development and strengthen the manufacturing sector.

For Nigeria’s footwear industry, the proposed engagement could open pathways to modern production technologies, improved technical skills and stronger access to international markets, provided the discussions translate into concrete agreements and sustained partnerships.