Rome / Kigali, May 5, 2026 — Italy will participate in the forthcoming Africa CEO Forum, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening economic partnerships with Africa and supporting sustainable, private sector–led growth, also in the framework of the so called “Piano Mattei” for Africa. The Italian presence, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency, will feature a high-level institutional and business delegation. Italy will contribute to the Forum’s agenda by showcasing its industrial expertise and technological innovation across key sectors including infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, and advanced manufacturing. As said, the core of Italy’s engagement in the Continent is the Mattei Plan, promoting an inclusive partnership model based on mutual growth, knowledge transfer, and sustainable development. An Italian Pavilion and a dedicated side event will highlight concrete opportunities for investment, industrial cooperation, and the development of resilient value chains, while fostering B2B and B2G exchanges. Claudio Pasqualucci, Trade Commissioner of the Italian Trade Agency, stated: “Italy’s participation reflects our commitment to building forward-looking partnerships with Africa, grounded in innovation, sustainability, and shared value creation. Through the Mattei Plan and the engagement of our private sector, we aim to support local industrial development and more competitive markets across the continent. Italy’s presence also coincides with the centenary of the Italian Trade Agency, marking 100 years of supporting Italian industry worldwide.” As Fabrizio Lobasso, Deputy Director Generale for Growth and Export at the ITA MFA put it: “Once again Italy shows the best trait among its characters: the ability to work as a Team, where public and private entities move together in order to create concrete partnership and foster the internationalisation of Italian enterprises.”
