Addis Ababa (AMECO) — In a milestone move to tackle economic competitiveness and skills gaps through structural innovation, Bahir Dar University has signed an agreement exceeding 1 billion Birr to establish a comprehensive leather and footwear partnership in capacity building, research and industry linkage.
The partnership is forged with Italy’s Marche Region International Cooperation and the CVM International Project. It aims to foster collaborative growth across critical sectors, including capacity building and research in leather processing, footwear design, and leather goods manufacturing.
A Catalyst for Institutional and Industrial Transformation
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Mengesha Ayene, President of Bahir Dar University, emphasized that the agreement serves as a strategic catalyst to scale up the institution’s existing expertise in textile and fashion technology. He noted that the initiative stands as the largest international project in the university’s history.
Dr. Mengesha underscored that the project will significantly drive:
- Technology transfer and cross-cultural expertise sharing
- Sustainable job creation for local communities
- Enhanced product quality and global market competitiveness for Ethiopia’s leather sector
Expressing strong optimism, the President highlighted that the initiative positions the nation to reap greater economic dividends from its rich livestock and leather value chain.
Project Scope and Funding
Funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the two-year initiative will be implemented across the Amhara and Oromia regional states, backed by a robust budget exceeding 800 million Birr.
Natalino Barbizzi, Coordinator of Marche Region International Cooperation, noted that the agreement strengthens bilateral ties between Ethiopia and Italy within the leather and leather products industry.
He further detailed that the project will unlock fresh pathways for:
- Strategic market linkages
- Hands-on student training and capacity building
- Advanced academic collaboration and shared innovation
According to Barbizzi, the cooperative framework is poised to revitalize and reshape intra-African collaboration within the leather sector.
The formal agreement was officially signed by Bahir Dar University President Dr. Mengesha Ayene and Marche Region International Cooperation Coordinator Natalino Barbizzi.
