After its official presentation, which took place last 29 November in Turin, the spotlight moved to Milan on 14 January. On that occasion, during a press conference hosted in the evocative spaces of La Boutique at Via Gastone Pisoni 6 — a landmark Milanese showroom for interior design and trends, just steps away from the Fashion Quadrilateral and Via Montenapoleone — journalists, entrepreneurs, professionals and associations had the opportunity to learn about the objectives of IDA Summit 2026 – Facilitating the Meeting between Italian and African SMEs.
The event, endorsed by the City of Turin, the National Union of Chambers of Commerce and Agriculture of Senegal and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Kaolack, will take place in the Piedmont capital from 14 to 16 April 2026 at Palazzo della Luce, with a gala dinner at Villa Sassi. It will provide the backdrop for three days of networking, training and B2B meetings involving around one hundred African and Italian entrepreneurs, with the aim of facilitating long-term partnerships, creating shared value and opening up new markets.
Organized by IDA International — Initiative for the Development of Africa, an African non-governmental organization accredited by the United Nations, headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, with representations worldwide — IDA Summit 2026 is set to be an unmissable event.
Held in partnership with CibusTec — the Parma-based event that for over 80 years has driven innovation by continuously promoting technological progress in the agri-food industry — the Summit is designed not only for forward-looking and visionary companies seeking to enter the agricultural marketplace dedicated to the African market, where they can systematically identify new clients and suppliers, but also for institutions wishing to strengthen solid and positive diplomatic relations. The event also aims to enhance Italy’s image as a reliable partner committed to Africa’s development, adopting a multifactorial approach focused on promoting development, managing migration, ensuring security and strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with the African continent.
During the Milan press conference, the new partnership between IDA Summit 2026 and ADACI, the Italian Association of Purchasing and Supply Management, was announced, giving further momentum to an event that already has all the credentials to be highly significant. Several organizations have already confirmed their participation as sponsors, including Cofiprof, A.Bre.Mar., I Feel Gold, Real Forni, Meccanica Fantini, VST (Vastola Soluzioni Tecnologiche), Ne & A Print, Side, Dell’Oro, IBL (Industrial Bakery Line), Dastor and Cosem. Equally prestigious are the event partners: CibusTec, Arproma, Chantry Garden Medical Foundation, Fundus Della Torre, AIIC–CI, M.A.D., Dom Terry Agrisolutions, CCAFA–CI, Anopaci, U Volonté @ Réussite, FH (Foreste Holding Sarl), University for Development Studies and the African Diplomatic Academy.
“Every day, new companies are joining the event as sponsors,” said Andrea Giannetto, President of IDA International, during the press conference. “I believe we will soon reach our goal of exceeding 100 participating organizations. Companies have recognized the value of this initiative, which aims to launch new projects and actively support existing ones, positioning SMEs as key players in global change while enhancing the human and technological potential of both continents.”
The event will focus on research, training and support for various projects involving exchanges between schools, universities and companies. It will also give significant space to the energy and ecological transition, promoting not only the exchange of technologies, products and services, but also the creation of partnerships and collaborations. Meetings dedicated to digital infrastructures will bring together start-ups from both continents to identify the best initiatives supporting the manufacturing sector.
Special attention will be given to the entire agricultural supply chain, for which two dedicated slogans have been created: “From Field to Table”, representing the exchange of raw materials, products, machinery, services and technologies across the agricultural sector; and “Made in Africa – Italian Style”, a proven philosophy that enables skills exchange and the creation of partnerships to develop products designed in Italy and manufactured in Africa.
“Several particularly interesting thematic roundtables are planned,” Giannetto emphasized, “including those on financing, baking and milling, textiles and leather goods (cotton and leather), cocoa and coffee.” Since 2014, IDA has also promoted the philosophy of ethical nutrition through the NourDign (Food and Dignity) certification, which, together with food labeling, plays a key role in promoting a more sustainable, ethical and human rights–respecting food system.
“This will be an unmissable event,” added Chiara Osnago Gadda, journalist and event manager of IDA Summit 2026. “It will not end with the three days in Turin, but will continue over time through the organization of high-level annual events and operational missions in both Africa and Italy. It represents the starting point of a broader journey, conceived as a permanent platform for dialogue and collaboration among agri-food supply chain stakeholders.”
“Public and private procurement is no longer an isolated corporate function, but an organized infrastructure that supports business competitiveness and compliance,” stated Federica Dallanoce, President of ADACI. “Africa represents a key partner for Italy and Europe in building secure, sustainable and independent agri-food and manufacturing supply chains. In this context, procurement can become a concrete bridge between Italian and African companies, fostering safer, more sustainable supply chains capable of creating jobs and value in both territories.”