The elimination of poverty and hunger in Africa can only be achieved effectively and sustainably through the endogenous development of African countries, in particular by launching sustainable industrialisation processes. This is what Gerd Müller, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), stated in his speech at the Italy-Africa Summit.
This approach is also embraced by Italy with the “Mattei Plan”, which envisages concrete cooperation projects that transfer to Africa financial and human resources, knowledge and technologies capable of generating businesses, jobs and income.
Together with UNIDO, Italy is developing 18 projects and programmes in Africa and the Wider Mediterranean, for a value of more than 28 million euro. Among the initiatives implemented in collaboration with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation are the creative industries in Tunisia, the training centre for renewable energy in Congo Brazzaville, the support to small coffee producers in Ethiopia, and the development of circular production technologies in the textile and fashion industry in the Maghreb region. The contribution of important private Italian companies in these projects is often decisive, as in the case of Illy caffè in Ethiopia, ENI in Congo and Diesel Jeans in Tunisia.
These successful examples well demonstrate the inclusive and equal attitude adopted by Italy in its development cooperation activities, made possible by the commitment of the Italian Government and the other public institutions involved, the vitality of Italian enterprises and the collaboration with UNIDO.
