Agro-industry at the Italy–Africa Business Week (IABW)

The 9th edition of the Italy–Africa Business Week (IABW) was an international forum held in Rome from 4–6 March 2026 that brought together entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and civil-society representatives from Italy and various African countries. Organized with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and other partners, the forum served as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two regions. Its aim was to strengthen economic and institutional partnerships by encouraging investment, business collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge between Italian and African stakeholders.

The 2026 edition focused on the theme “Africa–Italy: Partnership for Sustainable Development.” Discussions addressed strategic sectors such as renewable energy, agro-industry, healthcare, infrastructure, technology, and green finance, while also highlighting entrepreneurship, skills development, and youth employment. The forum featured conferences, roundtables, workshops, and B2B networking sessions designed to connect companies and institutions, promote public-private partnerships, and support long-term cooperation for sustainable economic growth in both Italy and Africa.

06/03 Session: Italy–Africa. Energy, Innovation, and Agriculture at the Center of the Sustainable Transition

• Ester Stefanelli, Manager public affairs
  
  Africa subsahariana, Eni
• Oroh Roland Oletu, Director, Agribusiness EU-Nigeria Platform
• Mario Di Giulio, Lecturer in Law of Developing Countries, Università Campus Bio-Medico
  
  
  
• Rima Jreich, Senior Policy and Regulatory officer, Res4Africa See some resources 
• Valentina Gentile, Head of the Innovation for Public Administration Service, ENEA
• Madi Sakandé, General Manager, New Cold System
• Cristina Altomare, Climate Finance Lead, UNDP Rome Centre

06/03 The Role of the youth in the cooperation between Africa and Italy 

• Ange Rosine Ishimwe, President, Africa
  Connect Initiative.
  ACI, is a Rome-based platform. The initiative aims to bring together young students and scholars to foster intercultural communities of solidarity, share ideas, and build networks.
• Angelique Umutoni, Program Coordinator, Africa Connect Initiative

She referred to the AU-EU Youth Action Lab. This is a transformative initiative under the broader AU-EU Youth Lab programme, designed to address the lack of opportunities for youth in Africa and Europe to collaborate, innovate, and drive solutions to shared challenges. Implemented by a dynamic consortium including Oxfam, Restless Development, and the European Youth Forum, the Youth Action Lab empowers young changemakers across continents.

• Carlos Lougourou, Outreach Coordinator, Africa Connect Initiative
• Giuseppe Bennici, International business developer
• Roxani Roushas, Youth4Climate Coordinator, UNDP
• Moderator: Francis Kaduki, Project Assistant, Italia Africa Business Week