Rome hosted the eighth edition of the Italia Africa Business Week (IABW), an international event that continues to strengthen economic dialogue between Italy and Africa. The forum took place from January 22 to 24, with the first day hosted at the Farnesina and the following days at the Villa Aurelia Conference Center. This year’s central theme, “Adapt, Thrive and Expand, Turning Challenges Into Opportunities”, highlighted the importance of transforming global challenges into opportunities for shared growth.
Organizers and Partners
The Italia Africa Business Week was organized by Associazione Le Réseau, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as co-organizers of this edition. Mediterranean Services, the first female-led diasporic sponsor, played a key role in promoting innovation and highlighting the value of diasporas as drivers of economic development.
Additionally, the forum was supported by and featured the participation of: the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Fondazione Aurora, D-Tech 4Good, DiveInclusione, CDP, Global Partnership for Education, CNA, Federmanager, EBCAM, and Il Sole 24 Ore as the media partner.
A Packed Agenda of Meetings and Opportunities
The event brought together entrepreneurs, government representatives, international institutions, and members of the African diaspora and new generations, further solidifying its reputation as a key platform for developing new partnerships and strategic investments.
Key topics addressed included the complementarity between African and Italian economies, the potential of Made in Africa, and the central role of the diaspora as a driving force for economic growth in both contexts—Africa and Italy.
First Day at the Farnesina
The forum kicked off at the Farnesina with institutional greetings from Hon. Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Alioune Dione, Minister of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy of Senegal; Cleophas Adrien Dioma, President of Associazione Le Réseau; and Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General for Operations at IOM.
Following the opening remarks, the inaugural conference on Italy-Africa cooperation featured key speakers such as Stefano Lo Savio, Head of Unit for Finance for Development, Environment, and Digitalization at the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (DGCS), MAECI; Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS); and Lorenzo Ortona, Deputy Coordinator of the Mattei Plan Structure.
Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation emphasized Italy’s new approach to Africa, stressing the need to move beyond cooperation models that exclude direct involvement from local governments. He reaffirmed the central role of the Mattei Plan in fostering collaboration based on reciprocity and shared growth.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy of Senegal Alioune Dione highlighted the promising momentum of Italy-Senegal cooperation. He underlined that respect for each state’s sovereignty in microfinance and social and solidarity economy serves as an example of a partnership capable of addressing multiple challenges. This model connects employment issues and irregular migration, leveraging each country’s unique expertise, in alignment with Senegal Vision 2050 and the Mattei Plan.
Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General of IOM, emphasized the positive role of migration in development, noting that remittances and migrant investments contribute to economic growth and Africa’s green transition. She also stressed the need to enhance human mobility through initiatives like the Mattei Plan, promoting a fair and sustainable approach to cooperation.
On the first day, Focas Licht, Managing Director for Partnerships at GPE, pointed out that Africa is expected to make up a significant portion of the global workforce by the end of the century, with estimates reaching 42%. She emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the skills needed for future jobs, considering the challenges posed by ever-evolving markets.
The Gala Dinner
The Gala Dinner of the eighth edition of Italia Africa Business Week took place on January 22 at the NH Hotel in Rome, providing a valuable opportunity for leaders, entrepreneurs, and institutional representatives to connect.
The evening was marked by an elegant and convivial atmosphere, fostering dialogue and the creation of new synergies between Italy and Africa. Through inspiring speeches and strategic networking moments, the event served as a platform to strengthen existing relationships and lay the foundation for future economic and cultural collaborations.
A special thanks to all participants who contributed to making this evening a meaningful moment of the forum.
Key Topics and Personalities – January 23-24
In the following days, the forum moved to the Villa Aurelia Conference Center, where crucial topics were discussed, including Italy-Africa cooperation, private sector innovation, development finance, and the role of diasporas in economic growth.
Diaspora and Private Sector Development
The conference “Italian Cooperation and the Role of Diasporas in Promoting the Private Sector in Africa” featured contributions from Bertrand Mani Ndongbou, President of the Italian Coordination of Diasporas for International Cooperation (CIDCI), and Alex Musembi, founder of Africa Collect Textiles, who presented his initiative for a sustainable and inclusive fashion ecosystem in Kenya.
Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
A special focus was dedicated to women’s empowerment with the conference “Africa: Women, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the Center of the Future”, moderated by Susanna Owusu Twumwah. The session included distinguished speakers such as Giuliana Amoasah, Leila Fall, Nesrine Abdia, Sambu Buffa, Aya Liliane Attoungbre Carisi, and Flavia Sincere Inzikuru.
Business Growth and Investment Strategies
The workshop “Italy Meets Africa” explored tools and strategies for the growth of African enterprises, with insights from Alioune Dione, Stefano Lo Savio, and representatives from Italian financial institutions such as CDP, SIMEST, and SACE.
Leadership Models and Cross-Cultural Expertise
Another highlight was the panel “Comparing Leadership Models: Diaspora Managers and Italian Managers Together for an Italy-Africa Future”, featuring Marco Bodini, President of Fondirigenti, and Marta Sachy, General Director of Fondazione Aurora. The discussion emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership and the enhancement of cross-cultural competencies.
Focus on Cooperation and Sustainable Development
Another key theme of the forum was the role of international cooperation, with insights from Marco Rusconi, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). He emphasized the importance of a bottom-up approach to effectively address the real needs of African communities.
The conference “Release G20: Converting Debt and Revitalizing International Cooperation” featured high-profile speakers such as Alexandros Spachis, Secretary General of EBCAM, and Roberto Ridolfi, President of Link2007.
Alphadi and Borderless Fashion
A major highlight was the conference “Borderless Fashion: Afro-Italian Synergies in the Fashion Sector”, featuring Sidahmed Alphadi Seidnaly, the iconic African designer and founder of the International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA). Alphadi shared his journey and emphasized the importance of building bridges between African design and the global market. He highlighted the value of local craftsmanship and traditional techniques in shaping contemporary fashion.
B2B, B2G, and G2G Meetings
During the eighth edition of Italia Africa Business Week, B2B (Business-to-Business), B2G (Business-to-Government), and G2G (Government-to-Government) meetings played a pivotal role in fostering new collaborations and investment opportunities among businesses, institutions, and governments.
These sessions provided a platform for entrepreneurs, public sector representatives, and decision-makers to engage in direct discussions, exploring joint development strategies and innovative solutions to strengthen economic ties between Italy and Africa. The strong participation reaffirmed the forum’s position as a strategic platform for building concrete and long-term sustainable partnerships.
A New Model of Cooperation
The Italia Africa Business Week continues to be a strategic event for reshaping economic and trade relations between the two continents. The forum highlighted the need for a paradigm shift, emphasizing direct involvement of African stakeholders and the enhancement of local resources.
With a growing focus on innovation, sustainability, and capacity-building, the future of Italy-Africa cooperation is increasingly geared toward creating a shared development ecosystem.
