Looking beyond Europe to seize the opportunities of a growing continent: this was the objective of the “Doing Business in Africa” meeting, organised by Confindustria Lombardia on 26 September 2025 as part of the activities of the Enterprise Europe Network.

During the event, representatives from regional and national institutions, the Confindustria system, entrepreneurs, and experts examined the potential of various African markets in light of the Mattei Plan and ongoing economic collaboration strategies. In particular, the importance of diversifying target markets was highlighted, a necessity made even more pressing by international trade tensions, as also underscored by the 2025 Internationalisation Survey by Confindustria Lombardia.

Africa is confirmed as a dynamic and strategic continent for Lombardy-based businesses, thanks to demographic growth and the diversification of local economies. Lombardy's companies possess distinctive expertise in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, technology, mechanical engineering, and agri-food, which can be leveraged through partnerships with African counterparts.

To translate the Mattei Plan into concrete opportunities for Italian companies, Confindustria Lombardia supports the establishment of bilateral agreements with individual African countries, within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which promotes intra-African trade and aims to reduce customs tariffs by up to 90%.

The meeting also highlighted the strategic role of quality training in developing local skills and creating sustainable partnerships, with projects already underway in Kenya, Mozambique, Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

These projects lay the foundations for a solid and lasting collaboration between Lombardy-based businesses and African countries, creating shared value and new prospects for international development.

You can read the article at the following link.

The event “Doing Business in Africa: opportunities and tools for Lombardy-based companies” is part of the activities of the Enterprise Europe Network project, of which Confindustria Lombardia is a partner, aimed at promoting new growth opportunities and international partnerships for local businesses.
For information on the internationalisation services of the Enterprise Europe Network, please contact us at een1@confindustria.lombardia.it.