Ethiopia Signs ETB 800 million Project to Strengthen Leather and Footwear Industry

Bahir Dar University has signed an agreement for an ETB 800 million project aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s leather processing, footwear manufacturing and leather products industries.

The two year project is being carried out in partnership with Italy’s Marche Region International Cooperation and CVM International Project. It is financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and will be implemented in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Oromia regions.

The project will focus on leather processing, shoe design and the production of leather goods. It will also support technology transfer, skills development, training and cooperation between academic institutions and industry.

Bahir Dar University President Mengesha Ayene (PhD) said the project would build on the university’s existing expertise in textile and fashion technology. He said it would help promote technology transfer and experience sharing while creating jobs and improving the quality and competitiveness of Ethiopia’s leather industry.

Mengesha described the project as one of the largest international projects in the university’s history and said it could bring wider economic benefits by strengthening the country’s leather value chain.

Natalino Barbizi, Coordinator of Italy’s Marche Region International Cooperation, said the agreement would strengthen cooperation between Ethiopia and Italy in the leather sector.

According to Barbizi, the partnership will cover areas including market linkages, student training, academic cooperation, technology transfer and knowledge exchange. He said the initiative could also create new opportunities for the wider African leather industry.

The agreement was signed by Mengesha Ayene on behalf of Bahir Dar University and Natalino Barbizi representing Marche Region International Cooperation.