Trade links between Kenya and Italy have got a major boost following the successful establishment of the Italy-Kenya Chamber of Commerce (IKCC) Kenya chapter aimed at spurring business and investments in the country.

The IKCC was founded by a group of Italian and Kenyan Entrepreneurs and professionals to strengthen trade relations between Kenya and Italy.

Further the Initiative seeks to support Italian and Kenyan Companies operating a long the axis between the two countries.

The Italy Kenya Chamber of Commerce in Kenya which is currently in its Pre-membership Phase with Assocamerestero, is led by Fabrizio Cardillo the President, was officially presented in Nairobi by the Italian Embassy in Kenya, and in Genoa, Italy, during the 35th World Congress of Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad.

Italian Ambassador to Kenya Vicenzo Del Monaco who is part of the Initiative said the government was strongly committed to support the initiative.

He said they fully supported the creation of a stable platform to enhance economic, institutional and business dialogue between the two countries, at a historic moment for relations between Rome and Nairobi, in the spirit of the Mattei Plan for Africa, of which Kenya is one of the priority hubs.

“Diplomatic and cooperative relations between Italy and Kenya have never been so strong, thanks above all to the launch of the Mattei Plan for Africa, under which Kenya is a priority country for Italy, , which is why it is essential to strengthen economic ties and remove many of the trade barriers between the two countries – a process already set in motion by President Ruto’s recent meetings with the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,” said the Italian Ambassador to Kenya,

During the Genoa conference, which focused specifically on the role of the Mattei Plan in shaping new relations between Italy and the African continent, the need to provide Italian businesses with concrete tools to access African markets, seize the opportunities offered by Italian institutions and develop solid partnerships in strategic countries across the continent became clear.

The IKCC Business Association was represented in Genoa by its president, Fabrizio Cardillo, who highlighted to the Italian chamber system Kenya’s potential as a strategic hub for East Africa.

He said the IKCC Business Association aims to act as an operational structure supporting Italian companies interested in Kenya, assisting them in entering the market, building institutional relationships, identifying opportunities and accessing programmes promoted by the Italian Government and the wider ‘Sistema Italia’.

At the same time, Cardillo said the Association will also encourage and support Kenyan companies interested in exploring commercial opportunities in the Italian market, becoming part of a well-established network in Africa and the Middle East ready to promote the participation of Italian companies in major infrastructure and industrial projects in the region and the development of greater initiative in identifying and capitalising on projects and business opportunities for the benefit of Italian companies.

“Particular attention will be paid to the strategic sectors of energy, critical minerals and logistics, considered fundamental for the development of economic relations between Italy and the countries in the region,” he said.

He said the new Africa and Gulf Area of the Italian Chambers of Commerce Abroad also aims to promote close collaboration with the initiatives set out in the Mattei Plan, helping to foster industrial partnerships, sustainable investment and new opportunities for Italian companies.

The discussion highlighted the important role of the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad in supporting Italian companies and promoting new business opportunities across Africa.

The President of IKCC said strategic sectors that would be in focus include agri-food, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, tourism, innovation, training and services.

He said the aim is to strengthen the economies of both Italian and Kenyan businesses through investment, joint ventures, technology transfer and long-term partnerships.

“Italian and Kenyan entrepreneurs are ready to work together to develop a network that can simultaneously facilitate trade, exchanges and the growth of companies in both countries, and attract new Italian businesses to Kenya that intend to work with local ones,’ said Cardillo.

The Africa and Gulf Area Delegation of Assocamerestero met with Lorenzo Ortona, Deputy National Coordinator for the Mattei Plan for Africa at the Office of the Prime Minister of Italy.

The meeting focused on the opportunities created by the Mattei Plan and on strengthening economic cooperation between Italy and African countries through trade, investment, and business partnerships.

The delegation composed of Lorenzo Ortona the Deputy National Coordinator for the Mattei Plan for Africa, Simone Santi the President of the Area and Italian Chamber of Commerce in Mozambique, Fabrizio Cardillo the President, Italian Kenyan Chamber of Commerce in Kenya Niccolò Tendi the President, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Senegal, and Helder Cardoso the Secretary General, Italian Chamber of Commerce in Angola.