Med-Or’s decision to open its first foreign office in Nairobi is a “strategic” choice, recognizing Kenya’s role as a “bridge” to Africa, just as Italy aspires to be for Europe. With these words: Umberto Tavolato, director of Special Projects at the foundation launched by Leonardo, commented on the recent inauguration of the Nairobi office. “It will not be a country office but a continental hub,” he explained in a phone call to “Agenzia Nova,” emphasizing that the choice of Kenya is based on the East African country’s tradition of democracy and stability, but also on a broader perspective: “We are convinced that in a period in which the world order has completely changed, it is necessary to work more intensively with the global South, starting with Africa,” he explained, citing in parallel the lines of action and cooperation outlined in the Mattei Plan.
This is the context for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed yesterday in Nairobi between Italy and Kenya on the blue economy. The document was signed by Minister of Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini—who inaugurated the Med-Or headquarters on Sunday—and Betsy Njagi, Head of the Blue Economy and Fisheries Department at the Ministry of Mines, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. Tavolato noted that the Med-Or Foundation works with numerous countries in Africa—training projects are active in eleven—with initiatives in the agricultural sector, such as in Ethiopia, or in training public officials, such as the program recently launched in Somalia. In Tigray, a region ravaged by the conflict that ended in 2022 but still at the center of ethnic tensions, Med-Or is a partner – in collaboration with the Abruzzo region, the International Center for Advanced Agronomic Studies for the Mediterranean – Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM Bari), and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) – in the RESeed project, an initiative to reintegrate former combatants into agricultural projects.
“Med-Or’s work in Africa represents a strategic contribution to strengthening our partnership with African countries and the entire continent,” stated Bernini, who noted that “the Foundation’s active presence in Kenya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, represents a concrete investment in training, knowledge, and innovation, essential levers for solid and lasting growth.” The shared goal “is to invest in skills and human capital, supporting economic and social transformation processes based on responsibility, innovation, and the valorization of local areas and communities,” added Bernini. Med-Or President Marco Minniti also expressed great satisfaction, stating that by inaugurating the Nairobi office, the foundation “is taking a step consistent with its vision: working in Africa, with Africa. Direct presence on the ground allows us to build stronger and more equal relationships with governments, institutions, and local stakeholders, strengthening a cooperation model that focuses on dialogue, expertise, and mutual respect.”
The choice of Nairobi also reflects Kenya’s central role as a strategic hub for Africa as a whole. The country stands out for its political stability, economic dynamism, and growing ability to attract international investment, as well as being a key commercial, technological, and logistics hub for Africa as a whole. The Med-Or headquarters in Nairobi will serve specifically as an operations center for the coordination, promotion, and monitoring of the foundation’s projects and initiatives aimed at the development and sustainable growth of African countries, the exchange of expertise between Italy and local partners, and cooperation between the public and private sectors.
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