With tens of millions of livestock, Niger has a strong pastoral tradition where livestock farming is a key resource for both the economy and daily life. However, the leather and hides sector—despite its potential as a driver of growth and development—remains largely untapped, with an underdeveloped value chain and limited local processing capacity.
On the other hand, Italy is renowned for its excellence in leather craftsmanship, from traditional artisanal techniques to cutting-edge design and research. Italian expertise, recognized worldwide, can provide valuable support in unlocking the potential of Niger’s abundant raw materials, transforming them into opportunities for economic and employment growth.
This vision has led to the creation of the RECOMPENSE Project – Reinforcement of Skills and Market Access in the Leather and Hides Sector in Niger. The initiative is financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) with an investment of €2 million and is implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The project focuses on strengthening vocational training and technical and entrepreneurial skills among artisans and young professionals in the sector, with a special emphasis on the Centre des Métiers du Cuir et Artisanat du Niger (CMCAN). As the country’s only training center dedicated to leather processing, CMCAN will benefit from new curricula, modernized infrastructure, and state-of-the-art machinery, enhancing its production capacity and opening up new market opportunities.
