Tech on the table. On Tuesday, Italian Undersecretary for Business Fausta Bergamotto led an institutional mission to Kenya, focusing on digital cooperation, infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.
- Joined by Italy’s Ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, Undersecretary Bergamotto met with key local stakeholders to deepen bilateral ties in technology and innovation.
- She held bilateral talks with Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Technology, reaffirming their collaboration on sustainable development and digitalisation.
Decoding the news. Kenya is emerging as a digital frontrunner in Africa, with ambitions to become a regional hub for computing.
- Italy views the country as a strategic partner in advancing the continent’s digital transformation—an effort embedded in both the G7 agenda and Italy’s broader Mattei Plan for Africa.
- “Kenya has everything it takes to become a regional compute hub,” said Bergamotto, pointing to its expanding data centre network, strong submarine cable connectivity, and vibrant digital ecosystem.
From digital divide to AI Hub. At the Compute Dialogue in Nairobi, Bergamotto highlighted a stark digital divide.
- Africa accounts for 17% of the global population but only 1% of global data centre capacity.
- Just 5% of African data scientists have access to adequate computational infrastructure.
- Italy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the European Commission, is supporting the establishment of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, which is set to launch on 20 June in Rome.
- The hub will bridge African startups with global AI firms and serve as a cornerstone of the Mattei Plan
State of the play. Kenya has accepted an invitation to join the governance of the AI Hub.
- Bergamotto also visited the Italian-funded E4Impact incubation centre and met with 20 startups and innovation groups ASSEK and ACIH.
- A tour of the Italian ICM Group’s construction site and Konza Smart City illustrated Italy’s role in supporting Kenya’s sustainable urban planning.
What we’re watching. This mission is part of Italy’s broader effort to foster a more structured, development-oriented partnership with Africa, focusing on shared growth, digital transformation, and industrial cooperation.
- On the same day, speaking in Bologna, European Parliament President Robert Metsola said the Mattei Plan for Africa is a “model” for the EU. In Italy’s plan, Kenya has a priority seat.
And about Mattei Plan… “Pleased to welcome Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Palazzo Chigi today. Ethiopia is a key partner in the Mattei Plan, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together,” said yesterday Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
- ”I’m also glad Italy will co-host the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa alongside Ethiopia—food security and nutrition remain top priorities for Italy, as they were during our G7 Presidency.” AI was another top priority during Italy’s G7 leadership.
