Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, has initiated strategic talks with key leaders in Spain’s renowned footwear manufacturing industry to foster technical cooperation, technology transfer, and commercial partnerships aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s domestic leather and footwear sector.
The high-level diplomacy unfolded during a working visit to Alicante Province on Monday, November 2, 2026. Ambassador Ikpeazu held comprehensive discussions with Vicente Pastor Perez, President of the Valencian Association of Footwear Manufacturers Entrepreneurs (AVECAL), along with top executives from premier Spanish brands Pikolinos and Hispanitas, and representatives from INESCOP—Spain’s premier footwear technology center.
The Ambassador was accompanied by Senior Counsellor Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa and First Secretary Mr. Likson Dadi.
A major focal point of the visit was a tour of INESCOP’s facility in Elda, Alicante—a region globally recognized for its footwear craft. Received by Director of Technologies and Materials, Elena Orgilés Calpena, the Nigerian delegation inspected cutting-edge research laboratories, automated manufacturing processes, and international quality-testing standards.
INESCOP serves over 400 member companies worldwide. Discussions centered on creating specialized training programs, quality assurance systems, and sustainable production models tailored for Nigerian shoe manufacturers and technicians.
Speaking during engagements with AVECAL, Pikolinos, and Hispanitas, Dr. Ikpeazu highlighted the remarkable craftsmanship and resilience of Nigerian shoemakers, who continue to produce high-value footwear manually despite technology limitations.
”Closer collaboration with Spain’s established footwear cluster holds significant potential for Nigerian manufacturers seeking to upgrade production capabilities. By facilitating direct business-to-business links, technology transfer, and specialized training, we can enhance local capacity, boost product quality, and make Nigerian footwear globally competitive,” Ambassador Ikpeazu noted.
In response, AVECAL President Vicente Pastor Perez assured the Nigerian delegation of the association’s commitment to creating structured channels for B2B meetings, joint ventures, and knowledge exchange between Spanish and Nigerian entrepreneurs.
According to a statement from the Embassy of Nigeria in Madrid, this initiative aligns directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic diplomacy agenda aimed at driving industrialization, attracting foreign direct investment, creating SME jobs, and building local manufacturing capacity.
