By Hosanna Eseose
Nigeria is seeking strategic partnerships with Spanish footwear manufacturers to modernise its local shoe-making industry, improve production standards and expand access to international markets.
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The Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, made the move during a strategic visit to Alicante Province, Spain, on Monday, November 2, 2026, where he engaged leaders of the Spanish footwear industry on opportunities for collaboration, skills development and technology transfer.
According to a statement issued by the Nigerian Embassy in Madrid, Ikpeazu held discussions with the President of the Valencian Association of Footwear Manufacturers Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), Vicente Pastor Perez, and representatives of the INESCOP Footwear Technology Centre, Pikolinos and Hispanitas.
At INESCOP, a footwear innovation and technology centre in Elda, Alicante, the Ambassador was received by the Director of Technologies and Materials, Elena Orgilés Calpena, who conducted him around the facility to showcase its technological capabilities, research and manufacturing innovations.
Discussions focused on technical cooperation, training, quality standards, certification and technology transfer, particularly initiatives that could strengthen the capacity of Nigerian footwear manufacturers.
INESCOP, which works with more than 400 member companies across different countries, also explored opportunities to support Nigerian technicians, businesses and industry organisations through specialised training, innovation and sustainable production practices.
Speaking during the engagements with AVECAL, Pikolinos and Hispanitas, Ikpeazu highlighted the ingenuity and entrepreneurial potential of Nigerian footwear manufacturers, noting that many already produce different categories of shoes manually despite limited access to advanced technology.
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He said the Nigerian Embassy was ready to facilitate engagements between interested Nigerian entrepreneurs and Spanish manufacturers to encourage business-to-business partnerships and knowledge exchange.
The Ambassador also explored production processes, industry best practices and opportunities for collaboration with Pikolinos, while his visit to Hispanitas’ facilities and AVECAL’s headquarters provided further exposure to Spain’s established footwear manufacturing ecosystem.
The AVECAL President assured Ikpeazu of the association’s readiness to partner with the Nigerian Embassy in establishing practical arrangements for engagements between Spanish footwear businesses and their Nigerian counterparts.
Ikpeazu said closer collaboration with Spain’s footwear manufacturing cluster, particularly in the Valencia region, could significantly improve Nigeria’s local production capacity, product quality and competitiveness in domestic and international markets.
He identified specialised training, technology transfer and sustained industry dialogue as critical to upgrading Nigeria’s footwear manufacturing sector.
The Spanish industry representatives also expressed willingness to explore concrete areas of cooperation, including technical exchanges, training attachments and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
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The visit, which included the Ambassador’s accompanying officials, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Senior Counsellor, and Mr. Likson Dadi, First Secretary, forms part of the Nigerian Mission’s economic diplomacy drive to attract foreign investment and establish beneficial industrial partnerships.
The initiative is also aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms, particularly efforts to stimulate investment, strengthen manufacturing and promote economic development.