CAPE TOWN – Italy is set to make a significant diplomatic and industrial return to the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026, signaling a deepening commitment to Sub-Saharan Africa’s extractive sector. Operating within the European Union Pavilion at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from February 9 to 12, 2026, the Italian presence is being spearheaded by the ICE – Agency (Italian Trade Commission) and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT).
The delegation features eight specialized firms, seven of which will have physical representation within the “Italy Area,” showcasing high-tech solutions tailored for the continent’s evolving mining landscape. This renewed participation follows a strategic pivot initiated in 2024, aimed at positioning Italian innovation as a key driver for solving complex operational and sustainability challenges in African mines.
A centerpiece of the mission is the high-level seminar, “Italy-Africa: Partnership Opportunities in Critical Minerals Agenda,” scheduled for February 10. The session, hosted in collaboration with several public and private institutions, is designed to align Italian industrial capabilities with the growing global demand for transition minerals found abundantly across the continent.
Reflecting the high priority placed on these bilateral ties, Deputy Minister Valentino Valentini is expected to attend the seminar to articulate the Italian government’s strategic vision. His intervention, alongside visits from Ambassador Alberto Vecchi and Consul Giulio Mignacca, underscores a unified “System Italy” approach that views South Africa not just as a market, but as a critical partner in the global mineral value chain.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to broaden prospects for Italian companies capable of offering solutions and innovations for the significant challenges that the mining industry faces. According to an official statement, the presence of the Deputy Minister at the MIMIT seminar underscores “the strategic importance of the mining sector for the Italian industry and the interest that the Italian government shows towards South Africa and the collaboration opportunities that this market offers to our country and its companies.”
Visit Italian Technology for Mining in Hall 1, Booth n°1V41
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