The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, and the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, will be on mission to Mauritania, Senegal, and Niger starting tomorrow for meetings with the institutional authorities of the three countries, representatives of the local and Italian business communities, and community representatives.
The mission aims to strengthen political relations with West Africa through joint initiatives and projects to promote security, growth, and stability in the region, in line with the Mattei Plan for Africa, which since 2025 has included five new countries, including Mauritania and Senegal.
In Mauritania, a priority country for Italian Cooperation, Ministers Tajani and Piantedosi will meet with Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, and Minister of the Interior Mohamed Ahmed Ould Mohamed Lemine. The Ministers will also inaugurate the Italian Embassy in Nouakchott, opened in 2024 to revitalize bilateral relations with the country.
The Senegalese part of the mission – in addition to institutional meetings with President of the Republic Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, Minister for African Integration and Foreign Affairs Cheikh Niang, and Minister of the Interior Mouhamadou Bamba Cissé – also includes participation in a meeting of Italian ambassadors and security experts in Africa and the opening of the Italy-Senegal Business Forum.
The Forum, organized by the Foreign Ministry and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in collaboration with other partners of the Italian System (CDP, SIMEST, and SACE) and Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo, will bring together companies, industry associations, and institutions from both countries with the aim of exploring concrete opportunities for developing economic, commercial, and industrial relations, particularly in the agribusiness, physical and digital infrastructure, energy, and renewables sectors. Senegal is indeed a strategic economic partner for Italy and the fourth largest destination market for our exports in sub-Saharan Africa, and the second largest among West African countries. In the first seven months of 2025, bilateral trade has already exceeded the volume recorded in the twelve months of 2024.
On the sidelines of the event, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, SIMEST, and the Senegalese agency APIX will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote bilateral economic cooperation and encourage joint investment in strategic sectors.
The mission will conclude in Niger with a meeting between Ministers Tajani and Piantedosi with President Abdourahamane Tiani, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, and the Minister of the Interior, Mohamed Boubacar Toumba, and a meeting with the Commander of the Italian Support Mission in Niger (MISIN) contingent, General Ivan Cioffi.
The visit to Niger provides an opportunity to resume dialogue on converging interests and common challenges, especially the fight against terrorism, irregular immigration, and illegal trafficking.
