Every year on June 2, we celebrate Italian National Day, known as “Festa della Repubblica.” This day commemorates the 1946 referendum when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic.
Embassies and consulates around the world join in this celebration, inviting local institutions and members of the Italian community. Kenya, with its significant Italian population, holds a special place in these festivities.
As the Italian ambassador to Kenya, a position I have proudly held for nearly two years, this occasion allows for both celebration and reflection on the strong ties that unite our two nations.
Recently, several key events have strengthened our partnership:
First, the state visit by President Sergio Mattarella to Kenya in March last year was a significant moment. This visit was not part of a broader African tour; he flew directly from Rome to Nairobi, demonstrating a focused commitment to our bilateral relationship. During his visit, several agreements were signed in areas such as culture, development cooperation, security, and trade.
Second, President William Ruto’s visit to Italy in January this year for the Italy-Africa Summit, hosted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, marked another milestone. This summit launched the new Italian strategy for Africa, known as “Mattei’s Plan.” With ambitious goals and funding, this plan aims to address gaps identified in collaboration with African partners, focusing on education, agriculture, health, energy, and water.
Kenya is one of nine African countries set to benefit from pilot projects under this plan. A delegation from Italy has already visited Nairobi for discussions on collaboration in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, agriculture, and key value chains.
These historic visits have significantly enhanced the economic, cultural, and institutional ties between Italy and Kenya, paving the way for mutually beneficial programs.
Moreover, we are exploring long-term initiatives, particularly in the leather sector, which holds untapped potential in Kenya. Italy, renowned for its expertise in leather production, plans to expand training opportunities for young Kenyans, fostering local skills in leather processing and production.
Our Italian Cultural Institute also offers language courses tailored for the tourism sector, aiming to boost employment prospects, especially in coastal regions where Italian investment is strong.
As we commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Italian Republic, I express my gratitude for the warm relations between Italy and Kenya. I remain committed to fostering even stronger ties, as I consider myself fortunate to represent Italy in a country that shares so many values and offers numerous opportunities for collaboration.
Ambassador of Italy to Kenya
