Chingola Leather Cluster in Zambia is now set to provide certified eco-friendly industrial gloves to the mines and engineering industry large. This is as the result of the capacity building intervention provided by Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute(ALLPI) in Collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Zambia through Ministry of Commerce , Trade and Industry and Konkola Copper Mines Plc (KCM). In 2018, ALLPI conducted Skills training in design and production of Industrial gloves at Chingola Leather Cluster as part of its deliverables among other things stipulated in the MOU signed with KCM.
The objective of the training was to build the technical capacity of the Cluster members in Industrial glove making for supply to KCM. After delivering the training ALLPI recommended that the Cluster should be formally registered and also be certified by the Zambia Bureau of standards before it can be given any order to supply gloves to KCM. ALLPI also recommended equipment upgrading to enable the cluster to to produce industrial leather products to the mining sector in Zambia. In addition ALLPI committed to offer the Cluster another training in the Design and Production of Safety Boots and shoes. The recommendations are being implemented and Chingola Cluster is now a registered cooperative Cluster and it has also received certification from ZABs to produce eco-friendly Industial gloves.
ALLPI remains committed to provide technical support for development of Clusters in all parts of Zambia through the triple-Helix development approach and promotion of relevant stake holders participation in the implementation of the Zambia Leather Value Chain development Strategy. The Chingola Cluster support initiatives are a blue print for the establishment and development of Leather Clusters in Zambia and other ALLPI Member States.
