The Africa Green Growth Forum at Ecomondo this year highlighted Italy’s ambitious Mattei Plan, which aims to foster sustainable development across Africa through collaborative projects in renewable energy, biofuels, and circular economy practices. Jointly organized by Ecomondo, the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security, and the Mission Structure for implementing the Mattei Plan under the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the event brought together influential stakeholders, including African and Italian government officials, major energy corporations, and international development organizations. With Italy’s strategic vision for Africa in focus, the Mattei Plan seeks to provide actionable frameworks for addressing environmental challenges while promoting economic empowerment across the continent.
Key projects under the Mattei Plan for Africa
Two major initiatives presented at the forum encapsulate the core objectives of the Mattei Plan: a Centre of Excellence for renewable energy training in Morocco and a biofuels supply chain project in Kenya. These projects are intended to advance Africa’s clean energy landscape, create jobs, and foster local economic development, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Moroccan Centre of Excellence will serve as a training hub for renewable energy and energy efficiency, specifically designed to educate and upskill professionals from across Africa. This training center aims to produce a new generation of African energy experts, technicians, and administrators capable of implementing and managing sustainable energy projects on the continent. With support from leading Italian energy companies, Enel and Eni, which have substantial experience in Africa’s energy sector, the center will enhance local technical knowledge and expertise. This approach aligns with Africa’s growing energy demands and the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources that reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental resilience.
In Kenya, the Mattei Plan supports a biofuel supply chain initiative designed to transform rural livelihoods by engaging over 100,000 smallholder farmers across 16 counties, with ambitions to double this number in the coming years. This project promotes the cultivation of non-food crops on marginal lands, producing vegetable oil for biofuel production. By creating stable income streams and offering market access for local farmers, the initiative aligns agricultural development with clean energy production. With biofuels emerging as a critical component of energy transition strategies, this initiative not only advances Kenya’s renewable energy agenda but also provides an economic lifeline for rural communities, linking sustainable agriculture to environmental conservation.
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Italy’s longstanding commitment to Africa
Corrado Peraboni, CEO of the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), opened the forum with remarks on Italy’s dedication to fostering meaningful partnerships in Africa. He emphasized that Italy’s support extends beyond the current projects, with Ecomondo providing a platform for exchanging knowledge, building capacity, and exploring new collaboration opportunities. “Africa has been, and will continue to be, a core focus for Ecomondo and for Italy’s commitment to sustainable development. Through the Mattei Plan, we are fostering a framework of cooperation that supports both economic growth and environmental stewardship,” Peraboni stated, underscoring Italy’s long-term vision for a mutually beneficial partnership.
Circular economy as a model for sustainable growth
A key segment of the forum, moderated by Professor Fabio Fava, President of Ecomondo’s Scientific Technical Committee, explored how circular economy practices can be effectively integrated into African markets. With examples from various sectors such as textiles, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), packaging, and bioenergy, this session showcased how circular principles—reuse, repair, and resource optimization—can help African economies address pressing issues of waste management, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation.
Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo presented practical case studies on circular business models tailored for African economies, highlighting how resource efficiency can be achieved even with limited infrastructure. These examples demonstrate that by applying circular principles, African nations can build resilient economies that mitigate environmental risks, create local employment, and foster a new wave of innovation in sectors ranging from waste management to sustainable packaging. Italian companies are already playing a role, providing insights and technologies that can support Africa’s transition to a circular economy.
Expanding global efforts in circular economy and sustainability
The forum also featured a high-profile international conference focusing on the circular economy, bringing together European and global leaders in sustainable industry practices. Angelo Salsi, former Head of Department at the European Commission, highlighted the circular economy’s potential to drive systemic change in how goods and services are produced and consumed. Salsi emphasized that this shift is a historic moment for both the EU and emerging economies as policy and market dynamics increasingly support sustainable business models.
Emanuele Bompan, Editor-in-Chief of Renewable Matter, shared insights on global progress in circular economy practices, with a particular focus on Europe, China, and South Asia as leaders in this field. Bompan pointed out that emerging markets like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Brazil are also gaining traction in circular practices, while regions such as Africa have opportunities to leapfrog by embedding sustainable principles into their developing industrial landscapes. However, Bompan stressed the need for robust public awareness and educational initiatives to accelerate the shift, essential for safeguarding both environmental and economic stability.
Aurel Ciobanu, Director for Circular Economy at the European Commission’s DG Environment, presented key EU measures that could serve as a reference for African countries. He noted that initiatives like the Right to Repair Directive, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and mandatory Deposit and Return Schemes (DRS) provide a robust framework for promoting durability, reparability, and recycling. These policies are reshaping the European business landscape and could offer valuable lessons for Africa, where efficient waste management and product lifecycle extension are increasingly critical.
Soil health and sustainable land management: A priority for Europe and Africa
The States General for Soil Health, a significant event at Ecomondo, addressed the importance of soil conservation and sustainable land management, both of which are critical for food security and climate resilience. Organized with partners such as the European Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe,” the Re Soil Foundation, and Coldiretti (Federation of Italian Farmers), the session presented innovative approaches to soil health, an issue highly relevant for African countries grappling with land degradation and desertification.
According to the European Soil Observatory, around 60-70% of EU soils are degraded, leading to annual CO₂ losses from agricultural land that further contribute to climate change. Massimiliano Conti from Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security underscored the irreplaceable nature of soil, describing it as a “non-renewable resource” crucial for both environmental and economic stability. Conti noted that the European Commission’s upcoming Soil Monitoring Law aims to establish scientific guidelines for soil management. For Africa, where agricultural productivity is vital to local economies, similar frameworks could support sustainable farming practices, restore degraded lands, and enhance resilience to climate impacts.
Enhancing water infrastructure in response to climate challenges
The forum also addressed Italy’s progress in water infrastructure development as part of a broader strategy to strengthen resilience against climate change. Italian government representatives, including the Extraordinary Commissioners for water resources, discussed initiatives to modernize water infrastructure and expand storage capacities. Specific projects in Sicily, Calabria, and Campania, such as the large dams at Campolattaro and Pietrarossa, serve as models of multi-year water storage solutions that could inform similar projects in Africa, where water scarcity and drought pose severe risks to communities.
Francesco Fatone, Head of Ecomondo’s Scientific Technical Committee for the Water Sector, highlighted that efficient water infrastructure is essential for meeting the demands of both urban and rural populations while building climate resilience. African nations facing increasing water stress could adapt lessons from these Italian projects, potentially enhancing their own capabilities in water storage, purification, and infrastructure modernization.
