In a bid to support increase of efficiency and quality in the leather and garment value chain, the Nigeria Competitiveness Project (NICOP) commissioned equipment to selected clusters in Kano state. This initiative is aimed at empowering and supporting talented women and men who have a passion for creativity and craftsmanship in leather and garment. With access to the latest tools and technology, these artisans will be able to take their skills to new heights and increase the quality and quantity of their production. 
The launch event was held in the Madafa women’s centre and was attended by the EU representative, Kano state government officials and a selection of female artisans from the Madafa Women and Youth Development Association.
Mr. Frank Okafor, the EU Representative, congratulated the women and encouraged them to make good use of the equipment provided while also creating opportunities for other women and the broader community to benefit from it.
According to the president of the association, Hajiya Shema’u Musa, the provision of this equipm
ent to the association marks a significant moment for the group as their work as artisans is more than just a job but a way of life and a means of providing for their families and communities. She went on to express appreciation to the EU, BMZ, and GIZ for their support throughout the years and promised to cascade this support to other women and people with special needs in their communities.
The female group was ecstatic with the new equipment and expressed their gratitude to the overall support. They stated that the new equipment would enable them to continue improve their efficiency and increase their income, which would in turn improve their standard of living.
The equipment handover culminated a carefully crafted 4-year support to the clusters in Kano that included capacity building on quality and efficiency, group formation, financial literacy, group savings and loans, product innovation and market access amongst others. These clusters have already reported remarkable income increases, job creation and business expansion.
