As momentum builds toward Ecomondo 2025 – the leading European expo for green technologies and the circular economy – organizers are expanding the conversation globally with a three-country roadshow ahead of the main event in Rimini, Italy, this November. Set to visit Egypt, Serbia and Poland, the initiative is part of a broader effort by the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) to deepen international dialogue, showcase cutting-edge ecological innovations, and foster cross-border partnerships in sectors key to the green and blue transition. For participating nations, the roadshow offers a rare prelude to engage with top-tier European companies, policymakers, and buyers driving the next wave of sustainable development.
On July 8th, Cairo will host the first stop, underscoring Africa’s growing relevance in global sustainability frameworks. Organized in partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Egypt and the Italian Trade Agency, the event will spotlight pressing environmental topics such as water management, bioenergy in agriculture, waste valorisation, and energy efficiency. These priorities align with Egypt’s National Climate Strategy 2050 and its goal to source 42% of its energy from renewables by 2035.
The Cairo event is more than symbolic, it is tactical. With Africa increasingly recognised as a frontier for climate innovation and green investment, this engagement opens pathways for knowledge transfer, joint ventures, and direct deal-making between African and European stakeholders. Last year’s(2024) Ecomondo drew over 103,000 visitors from 121 countries, including a sizable African delegation. Egypt alone contributed 40 top buyers and participated in over 400 business matchmaking sessions, showcasing a growing appetite for collaboration in sustainable infrastructure and clean technologies.
Following Cairo, the roadshow shifts focus to Eastern Europe – Belgrade, Serbia will host the second leg on September 9th in partnership with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and regional advisors. Here, discussions will explore solar power development, municipal waste systems, and water treatment—all sectors seeing accelerated investment thanks to EU pre-accession programs and green incentives.
Thereafter, on September 11th, the roadshow arrives in Warsaw, Poland, where an informal “Green Grill” networking format will bring together Italian innovators and Polish stakeholders. The gathering will revolve around biogas, plastic waste recycling, solar applications, and wastewater solutions, all of which are priority areas under Poland’s national environmental reform plan.
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These international stops will serve as a preview of the themes, technologies, and players shaping Ecomondo 2025, which will run from November 4–7 at the Rimini Expo Centre. The expo itself is structured around seven macro-areas: Waste as Resource, Water & Blue Economy, Soil Restoration, Bioenergy & Agriculture, Environmental Monitoring, Circular Bioeconomy, and the biennial SAL.VE event dedicated to sustainable urban transport.
For Africa, participation in Ecomondo has strategic implications. Beyond exposure, it provides access to finance, standards, and supply chains that can accelerate national sustainability agendas. The expo’s Innovation District will feature startups, scaleups, and the return of the Lorenzo Cagnoni Award for Green Innovation—offering a platform for showcasing African ingenuity to global investors. In 2024, Africa-linked innovators like Zambia’s WESEPO Waste Management gained visibility through these platforms, with several African countries launching formal collaborations during the event.
Crucially, Ecomondo is also a site for policy dialogue. The conference track, curated by a scientific committee, will explore evolving regulation, nature-based solutions, new-generation bioenergy, and predictive resource systems. Key panels will address Italy’s Mattei Plan and the broader role of green technology in Africa’s climate-smart transformation.
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As Europe sharpens its climate diplomacy and circular economy leadership, platforms like Ecomondo, and the roadshow leading up to it, are creating new entry points for African countries to shape, not just adopt, the future of sustainable development. For governments, entrepreneurs, and financiers alike, the message is clear: engagement must begin early, and Africa’s voice must be at the table.
