The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, will be on a diplomatic mission to Ethiopia and Kenya starting from 12 June. The visit – which follows in the wake of the visits that Minister Di Maio paid to Angola, Republic of Congo, and Mozambique – confirms Italy’s attention for the African Continent, with a special focus on the Horn of Africa. This mission testifies to the intention to tighten the partnership between Italy and Africa, a Continent that is at the top of Italy’s international agenda and that was given a priority role through numerous initiatives under last year’s Presidency of the G20.
In Addis Ababa, Minister Di Maio will meet, among others, with the President of the Republic, Sahle Work Zewde, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen. Italy vaunts historical and intense bilateral relations with Ethiopia – an International Cooperation priority Country for Italy – as well as a traditional cultural and economic and commercial cooperation. During the mission, the Minister is also scheduled to meet with the Italian business community.
On Monday 13 June and Tuesday 14 June, Minister Di Maio will continue his mission in Kenya, where he is due to meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Foreign Minister, Raychelle Omamo. The talks will take stock of the most relevant bilateral, regional, and multilateral dossiers. In addition, Minister Di Maio will be travelling to Konza to visit the emerging ‘Smart City’, which was built with a relevant contribution from the Italian private sector, at the presence of Joseph Mucheru, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs.
