Kenya and Italy are steering their long-standing partnership
toward job creation, artificial intelligence and innovation.
The shift signals a new phase in bilateral relations that
the new Italian Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco says aligns with the country’s
evolving economic priorities.
The shift was underscored during recent engagements between
the two governments, including the visit of Italy’s Minister for Universities
and Research Anna Maria Bernini and the launch of the Nairobi AI Forum.
At the same time, a trilateral AI partnership between Italy,
India and Kenya was signed on February 19, aligning with Rome’s Mattei Plan —
the new cooperation model between Italy, the EU, and African states.
The deal, signed in New Delhi on the sidelines of the AI
Impact Summit, brings together the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, the
Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Kenya’s ICT and
Digital Economy ministry.
It aims to achieve large-scale deployment of AI systems in
sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and public services.
Speaking with the Star in a wide-ranging interview,
Ambassador Monaco said the relationship between the two states is going through
a “very positive cycle”.
This cycle, he noted, is characterised by increasing
dynamism and a deliberate effort to expand cooperation beyond traditional
sectors.
Ambassador Monaco said the focus now is on strengthening
existing pillars while opening new areas such as research, innovation and
technology that support future-oriented development.
“The motto is alignment. This means we must remain open to
building an evolving agenda, because it is not set in stone.
“We need to keep our eyes open and our antennae raised so we
can continuously exchange information at a bilateral level and adjust
accordingly. This is why, in my opinion, alignment is a key word and a
compass,” he said at his office.
The envoy noted that Kenya is a highly digitalised and
tech-driven country, with a younger generation that has already embraced
digital technologies and is not afraid of AI.
The ambassador also highlighted new efforts to support
technology-driven enterprises, including the Harmonica Africa start-up
acceleration programme. The initiative aims to provide capital, technical
support and global market access to high-growth AI start-ups. Offices for the
initiative are expected to be established in Nairobi, bringing venture capital
and acceleration services closer to local innovators.
Beyond start-up support, cooperation also includes a
space-enabled partnership for food security that will use satellite data and
artificial intelligence to strengthen agriculture and climate resilience.
The initiative aims to help address challenges linked to
climate change while improving productivity in key sectors such as farming.
The ambassador said another initiative launched under the
same framework is a cyber security readiness programme aimed at supporting
African AI start-ups to build secure and trusted systems.
The renewed emphasis on technology and research comes as
Kenya continues to position itself as a regional hub for innovation, with
government policy increasingly prioritising digital transformation, artificial
intelligence and entrepreneurship as drivers of economic growth.
Following the signing of the trilateral Letter of Strategic
Intent with Italy and India, ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said Kenya is
now established as the primary implementation and scale platform for AI across
Africa.
“We are moving beyond pilots to deliver population-scale AI
solutions in agriculture, education and public services that drive local jobs
and sovereign growth,” Kabogo said.
Special Envoy on Tech Amb Philip Thigo said deepening
Kenya-Italy ties in tech and innovation, particularly on AI and emerging
technologies, prepares the two states for “the economy of the future”.
“A major milestone in this journey is the AI Hub for
Sustainable Development. This is a practical step under Italy’s Mattei Plan
already helping unlock what ecosystems need to deliver.
“These are compute access, venture support and enabling
infrastructure for startups and scaling companies,” Amb Thigo said.
Looking ahead, he said they will be keen to accelerate
research exchanges and co-creation across the AI stack — from human capital and
compute to talent mobility and high-impact use-cases.
Ambassador Monaco also addressed other priorities during his
tour of duty and the status of bilateral engagements. Here are excerpts from
the interview.
1. What are your immediate and long-term priorities during
your tour of duty?
My priority is to strengthen what already exists and then
expand the menu to offer a wider variety of options. We already have sectors I
would describe as mature and successful, but we cannot afford to rest on our
laurels. We need to be creative, visualise the new dynamics and strongest parts
of the country, and build on these to shape a future-oriented agenda together.
This is my priority in broad terms.
2. Which sectors will you focus on?
We have a proven track record of success in political
relations. We have a meaningful political dialogue and close bilateral
relations at the highest level. In 2023, Italy’s President visited Kenya on a
state visit for the first time. President Ruto has visited Italy several times
and is due to return on an official visit soon. My Prime Minister and your
President met during the Italy-Africa summit and then at the African Union
summit the following day, as Prime Minister Meloni was invited to address the
Assembly as the guest of honour. So we have political momentum and the right
frameworks to build on.
Building on the political dialogue, we are expanding our
cooperation around three pillars: people, prosperity and planet.
Take coffee, for example. Italy is collaborating with around
30,000 local producers to develop the country’s coffee supply chain. These are
very meaningful numbers.
Moreover, Eni is collaborating with approximately 100,000
local workers to produce biofuels. This is achieved without taking land from
agricultural fields, but rather from semi-arid, arid and uncultivated land.
The Italian company Impresa Costruzioni Giuseppe Maltauro
(ICM) has constructed heavy infrastructure in Konza, which aligns with Kenya’s
priorities. My objective is to leverage these successful foundations of
cooperation by adding elements related to science, research, innovation and
universities.
3. We recently had the visit of Italy’s Minister for
Universities and Research, Anna Bernini. What did it signify?
The visit offered the opportunity to address priorities such
as mobility of researchers, scientists and young people. An MoU was also signed
with Education CS Julius Ogamba.
4. Italy, Kenya and UNDP co-hosted the Nairobi AI Forum
this month. What were the key deliverables?
We didn’t bring a conference to Nairobi to discuss how
important AI is — that discussion is long gone. Instead, we focused on the role
of the private sector outside the traditional framework of international aid
and on co-creation with Kenya and Africa.
Kenya and Africa do not need assistance in the field of
tech. What we need is collaboration, and Italy can be a gateway for Africa to
facilitate access to Western markets and capital. This is the significance of
the Venture Capital Fund announced in Nairobi by Harmonic Innovation Group and
Primo Capital.
The Forum started with deliverables, not theories.
First, the co-design of a $10 billion initiative with the
AfDB which aims to create up to 45 million jobs by 2035 through infrastructure
and entrepreneurship funding.
The second deliverable was the Harmonic Africa start-up
acceleration programme, launched to provide capital, technical support and
global market access for high-growth AI start-ups.
The third is a new space-enabled partnership for food
security using satellite data and AI to strengthen agriculture and climate
resilience.
Finally, a cyber-security readiness initiative was announced
to train and support African AI start-ups in building secure and trusted
systems. This was announced under the framework of the Undersecretary for AI
for Development, one of the concrete legacies of Italy’s G7 presidency in 2024.
5. President Sergio Mattarella’s State Visit to Kenya
marked a high point in bilateral relations. How is the embassy ensuring
agreements translate into programmes and investments?
A presidential visit is the highest possible visit in the
diplomatic realm. It elevates relations and leaves a mark in the history of
bilateral ties. This is why expectations are high from the visit of President
Ruto to Rome.
In 2023, an MoU on political dialogue was signed at the
Foreign Affairs ministries level, and its implementation is proceeding
smoothly. We are seeing intensified exchanges of visits, consultations and
meetings, also on the margins of international fora. The visit by the Minister
of Universities and Research feeds into that picture.
During President Mattarella’s visit, an agreement on
development cooperation was signed, and today we have 45 ongoing projects with
150 million euros allocated. They are unfolding well and span an array of key
sectors.
I have mentioned coffee, but there is also another
meaningful project supported by the EU Global Gateway programme on the water
level of Lake Baringo.
Italy is very happy to partner with our friends from
Germany’s GIZ. There is also the new maternity and child ward at the Malindi
hospital and the ongoing construction of the road connecting the space base in
Malindi to the coastal main road.
Dialogue is proceeding very smoothly. It is essential that
we keep assessing the implementation of these projects while conceptualising
new ones. Again, alignment is the key word.
We have no interest in delivering to areas that are not in
your country’s best interests.
6. Italy and Kenya have a long history in space
cooperation through the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in Malindi. How do you view
the future of this partnership amidst parliamentary queries and renewed
interest by other powers in the sector??
I live in the real world, not the world of film. We have
been working together in Malindi since 1963. Huge progress has been made and
the results are visible. Kenya plays a leading role in continental
conversations on space.
I believe this is one of the effects of the success of
collaboration between the Italian Space Agency and the Kenya Space Agency. When
you have such a long history of partnership, there are times when you may not
agree on everything — like in every happy marriage.
Italy’s President visited the space centre three years ago.
On February 8, Minister Bernini visited the centre for the first time.
A number of priorities were discussed, including ongoing
activities.
We also collaborate with NASA, the French Space Agency and
the European Space Agency at the base. Following the launch of the Ariane
rocket, Malindi is the final control point on Earth. The activities implemented
at the base make a meaningful contribution to agriculture, disaster prevention
and relief, and have considerable economic value.
Future collaboration initiatives and opportunities were also
discussed. In a nutshell, I see a promising future for our bilateral
space partnership.
7. Is there collaboration in data gathering and
monitoring to address climate change?
It is clear to both our countries that there are
transnational threats that none of us can tackle alone. International terrorism
cannot be eradicated without partnerships, and the same applies to climate
change.
It poses a significant threat to current and future
generations, and its consequences are evident and tangible. We cannot address
it without substantial international cooperation.
At a bilateral level, we can contribute to addressing the
root causes and effects of climate change. We are already doing so through
projects such as the blue economy initiative involving your coastal counties
and the Baringo Lake project supported by the Global Gateway.
Kenya and Italy also collaborate closely at the UN level
here in Nairobi.
8. Are there new partnerships in healthcare, medical
research or capacity building?
This topic was part of the discussions between Minister
Bernini and her Kenyan counterpart. Biotechnology is one of the issues
mentioned and needs further exploration. We are assessing what more can be done
together, building on already intense bilateral collaboration and technical
exchanges.
Italy is a global leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing,
with exports reaching approximately $53.85 billion in 2024, making it the
fifth-largest exporter worldwide.
9. Kenya is implementing an Affordable Housing programme.
Does Italy see opportunities for collaboration?
We are open to collaboration in every area, although social
housing is not yet on my radar. However, we can cooperate concretely in the
field of smart cities, which make citizens’ lives easier daily, especially
given the pace of urbanisation in your country.
I see enormous potential in conversations spanning smart
cities, public transport and social housing.
On a related note, I would like to emphasise the importance
of enhanced collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
This urbanisation process goes hand in hand with the growing threat posed by
organised crime and criminal gangs.
Over the years, we Italians have developed sophisticated
techniques to combat organised crime. We have equipped ourselves with
instruments that are now benchmarks for many countries and at the European
level.
I have had some interesting conversations in this field
recently here in Nairobi, and I hope some collaboration will materialise.
10. What initiatives is the embassy pursuing to deepen
cultural exchange and boost tourism?
I have great respect for cultural diplomacy and am
passionate about it because it is ‘free of charge’. It is never transactional.
It is about sharing traditions, knowledge and friendship. It brings together
young people and civil society and highlights the things that bind us together.
Behind culture there is also agriculture, scenery, the
beauty of our landscapes and technology.
In November, I launched two initiatives at the National
Museum of Kenya in Nairobi focusing on cuisine. The first featured 50 menus
illustrating the evolution of Italian cuisine over the past 100 years. The main
message was about embracing the future and change. Italian cuisine was recently
added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
We also hosted Italian artist Tommaso Cascella, who built a
table now part of the residence of the Italian Ambassador’s collection. The
table represents the place where bread is cut and meals are shared — a place
where we also share ideas, ideals and the principles that bring Italy and Kenya
together in the international community.
I am keen to play a significant role in promoting cultural
diplomacy.
11. Are there collaborations in marketing Kenyan tourism
in Italy?
Yes, definitely. But I don’t think Kenya needs to be
advertised — it has scenery of biblical beauty.
If we look at the numbers, Italians are the second-largest
group of tourists from Europe visiting Kenya after the UK. Around 100,000
Italians visit Kenya yearly.
I wish more Kenyans could visit Italy.
On March 10, I will host a tourism promotion event at my
residence in collaboration with Italian tour operators and Turkish Airlines.
12. On sports tourism?
In November, when I organised the arts and cuisine event, I
invited Tourism CS Rebecca Miano. We parked a beautiful, shiny, brand-new
Ferrari outside the National Museum of Kenya.
I also invited Benson Kipruto, the Kenyan champion who won
the New York Marathon this year — his coach is Italian.
So we had one of the fastest men on Earth and one of the
fastest cars on Earth, and Italy was the common link. This illustrates how
culture, sport and trade are interconnected — what I call the “diplomacy of
growth”.
