COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Experts Team led by the Institute’s Executive Director, Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, and composed of Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, Cluster Expert and Regional Strategy coordinator, and Prof. Mekonnen Hailemariam, Leather Value Chain Expert and Personal Assistant to the Executive Director conducted a three days mission to Rwanda. The aim of the mission was to hold a planning meeting with, MINICOM and other public institutions involved in the development of the leather sector in Rwanda, in the framework of the implementation of the Rwanda Leather Value Chain Strategy. The Expert Team met and discussed with the Honorable Minister Mr. Francois Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry. The meetings with MINICOM Experts and other public and private institutions representatives was held from 15th to 16thFebruary, 2016 at the MINICOM Meeting hall. The COMESA-LLPI Expert Team made presentations on:

 The Draft Feasibility Study on Proposed Footwear Factory in Rwanda,

  • LLPI activities to Support Implementation of the Rwanda Leather Value Chain Strategy
  • Curriculum Development for Basic Footwear and Leather Goods Production Operations.

The Team also visited the Industrial Park site under construction, located at Bugesera, 60 km outside Kigali, where the leather Tannery park will be situated.