Rome, 5 March 2026 – The second day of Italia Africa Business Week took place at the Villa Aurelia Congress Centre in Rome, bringing together an intense programme of discussions, meetings and practical experiences from across the African continent.
Institutions from Italy and Africa, businesses, international organisations and representatives of the diaspora engaged in a dynamic dialogue built around a shared perspective: building lasting bridges between two continents. Key issues shaping a common future were at the centre of the debate, including sustainable agri-food value chains, innovative financial instruments, the role of diasporas in the green transition, women’s leadership, and new forms of partnership in the textile and manufacturing sectors.
Cooperation and partnerships: from value chains to blockchain
The morning roundtable, moderated by Grazia Sgarra (AICS), offered concrete insights into how international cooperation can translate into real opportunities for local communities.
A particularly interesting contribution came from Piergiorgio Di Carmine (JV Alma), who shared the experience of a project in Kenya centred on local communities. Training, social inclusion and water education are the key pillars of an initiative designed to generate sustainable and long-term development.
Demonstrating how technology and transparency can strengthen global economic relations, Alessandro Chelli, CEO of Trusty Agrifood, presented the company’s blockchain platform for agri-food supply chain traceability. The case of Côte d’Ivoire – the world’s leading cocoa exporter – shows how advanced digital tools can ensure quality, transparency and value across the entire production chain.
Equally significant was the testimony of Estelle Konan, who retraced the journey of the Yorsan Cooperative in Côte d’Ivoire: from beneficiary of development projects to an active partner. Today, two hundred certified organic farmers operate with GPS systems and digital traceability tools, turning innovation and sustainability into tangible opportunities for growth.
Highlighting the human dimension of global economics, Vania Pellizzaro of StoneX Payments, a company operating in 180 countries with 370 correspondent banks, emphasised that every project ultimately depends on secure and reliable payment systems built on trust – not just on individual transactions.
Diasporas and the green transition
The panel dedicated to diasporas shed light on a strategic resource that remains too often underestimated in global debates but is increasingly central to development dynamics between Europe and Africa.
Moderator Jason Theede (IOM Vienna) described diasporas as “one of the most underestimated forces in the green transition”: communities capable of connecting skills, human capital and investments between countries of origin and countries of residence, building bridges of knowledge and opportunity.
Within this framework, remittances also take on a broader significance beyond simple financial support. Sam Huckstep (Center for Global Development) highlighted how, in many rural areas, these flows represent a powerful tool for climate resilience, enabling families to adapt to environmental changes and invest in more sustainable agricultural activities.
Public policy also plays an important role. Maria Ludovica Gualtieri (AICS) noted that Italy’s Law 125/2014 formally recognises the diaspora as a key actor in development processes. Today more than one hundred diaspora organisations participate in consultation and project design platforms. However, access to credit remains a significant challenge, particularly for women in the diaspora, who continue to face greater barriers.
Offering a broader perspective on the phenomenon, Mauro Martini (IFAD) presented data showing that migrants send around 700 billion dollars each year to their countries of origin, with a significant share directed to rural areas and often reinvested in agriculture.
These figures highlight the scale of these resources and connect to a wider issue of economic development. Federico Bonaglia (OECD) pointed out that sustaining structural GDP growth in Africa would require around 160 billion dollars in investment annually. Mobilising private capital – currently at only about 11% – therefore remains one of the most urgent challenges for unlocking the continent’s growth potential.
Focus on Senegal: the year of the social and solidarity economy
Pietro Pinto of Amref moderated the panel dedicated to the “Invest in Senegal” project, which explored the role of the diaspora, institutions and businesses in Senegal’s development and, more broadly, in strengthening relations between Africa and Italy. Six voices, one shared narrative.
Marta Sachy (Amref Health Africa) opened the discussion with key questions: how can policies be translated into concrete action? And how can the interconnection between the two shores be fully leveraged?
Giovanni Grandi (AICS Dakar) responded with an overview of the Senegalese context: the country’s economy remains largely informal, yet this is also where opportunities lie. The social and solidarity economy, alongside instruments such as diaspora bonds and the Mattei Plan, can pave the way towards greater formalisation — as demonstrated by those who have returned from Italy to invest in their home villages and communities.
From the Senegalese institutional side, Ndeye Deguene Sow (Ministry of Microfinance) stressed that 2026 has been declared the Year of the Social and Solidarity Economy: not just a statement of intent but an operational programme supported by tools such as FONAMIF and PACTIFU.
Mauro Borin (E4Impact Foundation), active in 21 African countries, added that the real challenge lies in managerial skills: without solid governance, no market connection can last over time.
Representing the perspective of Italian SMEs, Ciro Ascione (Confindustria Assafrica) emphasised that business matching with African companies goes beyond trade – it is a transfer of entrepreneurial culture.
Closing the session, Kilap Gueye (Disso Senegal Association) delivered a simple but powerful message: investing in Senegalese youth so they can build their future in Senegal rather than feeling forced to leave. A responsibility shared by all.
Financial instruments for internationalisation
Turning to financial tools, Bernardo Bini Smaghi, development finance expert and member of the newly established IABW Scientific Committee, introduced a panel bringing together Italian and African specialists in internationalisation.
Ngueto Tiraïna Yambaye, Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund and former Minister of Economy of Chad, presented FAGACE (Fonds Africain de Garantie et de Coopération Économique), outlining the Fund’s role in facilitating access to credit for public and private projects in 14 African countries. Yambaye also positioned himself as an intermediary between Italian and African financial institutions and proposed an institutional meeting aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Mattei Plan.
Stefano Lo Savio (UFAD) highlighted that innovative financial instruments only work when they reduce perceived risk and attract private capital, which also brings vision and long-term planning. Projects must originate locally, integrate with local realities and aim for both economic and human sustainability.
Lawrence Bartolomucci (MEF) underlined the practical tools that make investments possible in complex contexts: political risk guarantees, coverage for physical damage and business interruption, as well as currency convertibility protection. The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance acts as an institutional facilitator, as illustrated by ENI’s investments in Kenya and the expansion of the IFC office in Rome.
Anco Marzio Lenardon offered a broader perspective: with an expected 2.2 billion inhabitants by 2040, Africa represents the continent of the future and a central pillar of the ecological transition. ETC supports companies entering these markets by addressing distorted perceptions of risk. The key message: African governments are not looking for assistance, but for reliable partners – a principle reflected in the success of the Mattei Plan.
Representatives of major Italian financial institutions also contributed to the discussion. Paola Valerio (SACE) presented instruments such as guarantees and factoring, along with cooperation with the African Finance Corporation and CDP.
Giorgio Massotti (CDP) highlighted the €4.2 billion Climate Fund and the Terra Programme, while Francesca Alicata (SIMEST) outlined the opportunities offered by the Africa Measure scheme, which provides subsidised financing – partly non-repayable – for Italian companies operating on the continent.
Women’s leadership and sustainable manufacturing
The day concluded with a highly engaging roundtable on women’s leadership, moderated by Ada Ugo Abara (D-Tech 4Good), which brought forward powerful stories of commitment, resilience and transformation.
Kulu Ghebremedhin, co-founder of Asmara Living and CEO of Return2Rebuild, shared her personal journey of returning to Africa to build new opportunities. Her work focuses on supporting women in the diaspora who wish to relocate, helping them navigate languages and cultures while connecting them with local companies seeking skilled professionals. At the core of her vision lies a cultural and economic shift: guiding women from a remittance-driven mindset to an investment-driven one.
Professor Stefano Speranza, from the University of Tuscia, Delegate for International Relations, addressed the barriers limiting women’s access to leadership roles, drawing on the experience of his university. According to Speranza, women’s leadership is not a secondary issue but a strategic factor that directly affects the competitiveness of production systems. Gender equality, he stressed, must not remain confined to laboratories: women must be fully integrated into management policies. His intervention focused on three strategic directions – research, women’s entrepreneurship and full access to knowledge – repeatedly emphasising the concept of accompaniment: moving forward together.
Building on this perspective, Dominique Maria Domingos, an Angolan diaspora researcher and entrepreneur, highlighted the importance of education in women’s entrepreneurial development, presenting her own ventures: Queen Eco Solutions and Kiand Cosmetics, the first Italian skincare brand designed for both black and white skin.
Ambassador Mumtaz Kassam shared her experience of returning to Uganda as a lawyer, where she now works to strengthen women’s representation in institutions and improve access to justice. Her message was clear: “Investing in women’s leadership is not optional – it is an imperative.”
The role of women is equally crucial in conflict-affected contexts. Fatma Megrahi (Taps International) described reconstruction processes in countries such as Libya and Ukraine, where women often play a central role in rebuilding the social fabric of communities and helping families recover from the trauma of war.
The focus then shifted to the textile and manufacturing sector, in a panel moderated by Inelida Franselina Soares, Chief Executive of IABW. Simone Cipriani (École des Ponts Business School) urged participants to move beyond the generic label of “African fashion” and instead recognise the distinct identities of Kenyan, Moroccan or Ghanaian fashion, valuing local traditions, ethical standards and decent working conditions.
A practical example came from Alessandro Gallo (Neo B-Lab / Doria-1905), who presented a collaboration with women from Kibera: a capsule bag collection born from the meeting of Italian design and local craftsmanship – and the starting point of a broader cultural project intended to grow over time.
Looking ahead, Francesca Laschiazza (AICS) outlined four strategic directions to strengthen cooperation between Italy and Africa: training and certification of talent, technologies adapted to local contexts, stronger connections with international markets, and the promotion of cultural diversity.
The day closed with a shared understanding: the dialogue between Africa and Italy has the potential to become a concrete platform for innovation and shared growth. African countries and their institutions are not asking for aid, but for reliable partners capable of building solid, long-term relationships.
In this perspective, strengthening economic ties between the two continents will depend on stronger connections, innovative financial instruments, the empowerment of diasporas, inclusive leadership and sustainable value chains. A common agenda where finance, entrepreneurship and women’s leadership become key drivers for imagining – and building – a more equitable, sustainable and shared future.
