Rimini, Italy – Ecomondo, Italy’s largest event dedicated to the green and circular economy, opened today with a record 166,000 square meters of exhibition space, over 1,600 exhibitors, and participants from more than 100 countries. Now in its 27th year, the event has expanded its focus to spotlight Italy’s collaboration with Africa in driving sustainable development. With the upcoming COP29 in mind, Italy’s leaders emphasized Ecomondo’s role in fostering international partnerships essential for a global green transition.
Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy’s Minister of Environment and Energy Security, spoke at the opening ceremony, underscoring Ecomondo’s role as a “vantage point for the national economy” and a crucial driver for decarbonization and circular economy practices. The Minister highlighted Italy’s partnerships with African nations, which reflect Italy’s Mattei Plan—a strategy aimed at supporting sustainable development in Africa through resource-efficient projects, green technology transfers, and training initiatives. According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy has increased its environmental cooperation agreements across Africa by 20% in the past year, with notable initiatives in recycling, water management, and clean energy.
The event aligns with Italy’s growing focus on fostering sustainable growth across Africa. This year’s program includes the African Green Growth event, where African leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa convene to explore partnerships in renewable energy and circular economy practices. Ecomondo has also partnered with the E4Impact Foundation, which supports local entrepreneurship across 20 African countries, providing training, business acceleration, and innovation incubators. As a part of the collaboration, African entrepreneurs attending Ecomondo will participate in Milan’s Business Networking Week, focusing on practical applications of circular economy models.
Fabrizio Lobasso, a representative from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described Ecomondo as a “powerful bridge” for fostering sustainable projects across Italy and Africa. According to recent data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy projects across Africa have grown by 30% over the past three years, with Italy playing a significant role in supporting green infrastructure and technology development. Italy’s support for Africa’s green transition extends to organic agriculture, water purification systems, and waste management practices, all core themes at this year’s event.
Ecomondo’s impact goes beyond showcasing technologies; it is a platform for fostering critical international dialogues. Over 200 conferences, workshops, and roundtables have been curated by the event’s Scientific Technical Committee, led by Fabio Fava, to address shared environmental challenges. “Ecomondo’s influence reaches across borders, connecting industries and governments to create scalable solutions for the green transition,” Fava noted.
Italy’s leadership in recycling, which sees nearly 79% of materials reused—almost double the EU average—offers a model that Ecomondo aims to share with African countries striving to develop sustainable waste management systems. The circular economy, one of Ecomondo’s core themes, is increasingly central to Africa’s development plans, with African nations such as Rwanda, Kenya, and Ghana implementing policies to reduce waste and promote resource reuse.
Maurizio Renzo Ermeti, President of IEG, reflected on Ecomondo’s journey, noting that “from its origins as ‘Ricicla’ in 1997, Ecomondo has become a global hub for the green economy, uniting international stakeholders.” This year’s expanded event includes new pavilions to meet increasing demand from international exhibitors and buyers, reflecting the rising interest in cross-continental collaboration.
As sustainability challenges become more urgent, Italy’s commitment to building stronger green partnerships with Africa through platforms like Ecomondo underscores the importance of a collaborative global approach. By promoting knowledge exchange and technology transfer, Ecomondo 2024 reinforces Italy’s role as a leader in the green transition and positions Africa as a vital partner in the shared journey toward a sustainable future.
