To celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity, established on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa and became the African Union in 2002, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation organizes an annual “Africa Day”.
This event has the dual purpose of reflecting on the importance of the partnership between Italy and Africa and the promotion the historical, artistic, and cultural diversity and richness of both our country and the African continent, seeking to bring together representatives of civil society such as artists, writers, academics, scientists, and entrepreneurs.
The theme chosen for each edition is the result of assessments of the most effective topics for promoting deeper economic, social, and human relations between the Italian and African communities, with a view to improving mutual understanding and establishing lasting ties.
Africa Day 2025
The most recent edition, entitled “Italy-Africa Dialogue. The Voice of Cultural and Creative Industries: The Case of Fashion“, was held on May 27, 2025, and was organized by the Directorate-General for Global Affairs (DGMO), in collaboration with the Directorate-General for Country Promotion (DGSP), Italian Trade Agency (ITA), and in concert with the Institute for Italy-Africa Dialogue (IDIAF) and the Fondazione Treccani Cultura.
The fashion sector was chosen as a meeting ground with extraordinary potential for strengthening intercultural dialogue between Italy and Africa, which find in it a bridge for collaboration, economic development, and the enhancement of human capital.
The event was attended by representatives of the African diplomatic corps accredited to the Quirinale, numerous representatives of Italian and African business associations and organizations, as well as the academic and cultural worlds. The opening session was introduced with the reading of a message written by the Vice President of the Council of Ministers/Hon. Minister Antonio Tajani, who emphasized the renewed centrality of Africa within Italian foreign policy.
The event provided an opportunity for Italian and African creativity to exchange and compare ideas, promoting a production sector capable of identifying and influencing mutual developments and new social needs. It also provided an opportunity to promote initiatives such as the Round Table for the Internationalization of the Sector, launched on January 28, 2025, with a Memorandum of Understanding with trade associations, and to explore the possibility of developing a professional growth project for young African designers, creating a point of contact with Italian manufacturers, training institutions, and designers.