Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has announced a strategic collaboration with Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo to enhance engagement with African and Middle Eastern countries in the fields of environmental sustainability, circular economy, and renewable energy. This partnership aligns with IEG’s broader efforts to internationalize its flagship events—Ecomondo and KEY – The Energy Transition Expo—by fostering stronger ties with key stakeholders, diplomatic representatives, and business networks in these regions.
Strengthening environmental and energy partnerships
The initiative seeks to leverage Italy’s diplomatic and business networks to expand the reach of Ecomondo and KEY, two leading exhibitions in green and energy transition technologies. With the support of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the collaboration aims to promote innovative solutions for climate change mitigation, waste management, water resource optimization, bioenergy, and renewable energy development.
A key component of this initiative will be a high-level presentation of Ecomondo 2025 on February 5 at Confindustria’s headquarters in Rome. The event will bring together representatives from African and Middle Eastern embassies accredited in Italy, alongside government officials and industry leaders. This meeting will set the stage for deeper cooperation and investment in sustainable solutions tailored to the specific needs of these regions.
Over the coming weeks, IEG and Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo will also coordinate targeted outreach efforts through Italy’s diplomatic missions in Africa and the Middle East, engaging embassies, industry associations, and local businesses to foster greater participation in the upcoming trade fairs.
Read also: Key highlights for Africa from Ecomondo
Africa Green Growth Forum to spotlight circular economy opportunities
Ecomondo 2025, set to take place from November 4–7 at Rimini Expo Centre, will once again host the Africa Green Growth Forum, now in its fifth edition. This forum has become a crucial platform for discussing green investment opportunities and sustainable development in Africa, with a particular focus on the circular economy.
This year’s discussions will include an in-depth examination of the Mattei Plan, Italy’s strategy for strengthening economic and energy partnerships with Africa. The plan, which was recently expanded to include Angola, Ghana, Mauritania, Senegal, and Tanzania, highlights Italy’s commitment to fostering sustainable development across the continent.
Ecomondo’s engagement with African markets has seen growing interest in recent years. In 2024, the event hosted 169 business and government representatives from Africa, underscoring the increasing relevance of sustainable technology solutions in the region.
Driving sustainable investment and knowledge exchange
The partnership between IEG, Ecomondo, KEY, and Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo is expected to drive new business opportunities, facilitate knowledge exchange, and encourage joint ventures in the sustainability and energy transition sectors. By bringing together Italian expertise and African and Middle Eastern markets, the collaboration aims to bridge technological gaps and foster inclusive growth in environmental and energy solutions.
With Ecomondo and KEY positioned as global leaders in green innovation, the upcoming events are set to serve as catalysts for cross-border collaboration, ensuring that Africa and the Middle East play a significant role in shaping the future of sustainable development.
