By Brenda Nkosi

Blantyre, April 10, Mana: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI) has trained 11 entrepreneurs in Computer Aided Designing and Manual Designing of leather shoes that minimizes shoe designing from two days to one day.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony on Thursday at the Leather Design Studio in Blantyre, SMEDI Acting Chief Executive Officer, Chezani Otaniele, said the leather industry is one of the fields that are ignored yet very crucial to the economic growth of the country.

“Shoes are one of the major imports in the country. We should recognize that we all start from somewhere and improve on it. This training will enable us improve on what we have been doing to satisfy the quality demanded by consumers,” he said.

He, therefore, encouraged the graduates to take advantage of the ban in import of security boots to satisfy the market.

“This is an opportunity for our entrepreneurs to take advantage of and utilize the skills they have learned.  The country is relying on you to meet the demand and close up imports of leather security shoes. Apart from shoes, we should be producing our own belts, wrist watches and wallets,” Otaniele said.

Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) Programmes Coordinator, Ghebregziabher Ghebremedhin, who provided the training, said the training aimed at empowering local SMEs and institutions such as the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) with the design and development competencies that are essential for enhancing the quality and competitiveness of locally produced leather goods.

“By focusing on both hands-on skills and system-based design techniques, we are laying the groundwork for a more self-reliant, innovative, and productive leather industry in Malawi,” he said.

He said strengthening local capacity directly contributes to national goals such as import substitution, enhanced local procurement, and job creation, especially for youth and women.

“The importance of domestic production, particularly in areas like military footwear, cannot be overstated. It is not just about reducing costs or logistics; it’s about building national pride, creating sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring long-term sectoral growth,” said Ghebremedhin.

A participant to the training, Agrey Dzama, who is the Chairperson for Malawi Leather Union, described the training as important saying it will help them produce shoes with ease by using technology.

“Manual work is tiring and slow. This industry can only develop if we improve on quality, which also comes with technology just like the rest of the world.

Dzama applauded government for banning importation of leather shoes for men in uniform, saying this will promote their businesses.