Nairobi, Kenya [May 26, 2025]– In a significant show of commitment to fostering digital transformation and innovation across Africa, E4Impact Foundation on Monday hosted Hon. Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State at Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, alongside Lorenza Gambacorta, the Deputy Ambassador of Italy to Kenya, a technology representative from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other esteemed delegates.
The high-level event in Karen convened a select group of forward-thinking Kenyan tech entrepreneurs in E4Impact’s Incubator and Accelerator Programs for a dynamic exchange on the state of Kenya’s digital ecosystem, Italy’s increasing engagement in Africa’s innovation landscape, and collaborative opportunities with multilateral partners within the continent’s rapidly evolving technology sector.
In her keynote address, Hon. Bergamotto announced the forthcoming launch of the Artificial Intelligence Hub for Sustainable Development, a groundbreaking initiative co-designed by the Government of Italy and UNDP in partnership with several African nations, including Kenya. The AI Hub will be officially inaugurated in Rome on June 20, 2025, as part of the deliverables of Italy’s 2024 G7 Presidency.
“The AI Hub will serve as a critical platform to coordinate private sector investments, enhance technical capacity, and promote data sharing across the continent,” said Bergamotto. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about shaping a sustainable future by empowering local ecosystems through accelerators, academia, governments, and startups.”
Strategically located in Rome, the hub will focus on fostering innovation in priority sectors identified in the Mattei Plan — an Italian development cooperation framework emphasizing energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It aims to catalyze private-sector-led economic growth through inclusive partnerships with governments, universities, and international development organizations.
Bergamotto emphasized that the initiative represents a long-term vision to strengthen Africa’s AI ecosystem, which is already demonstrating significant promise. Across the continent, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policy leaders are leveraging AI to address pressing challenges in healthcare delivery, agricultural productivity, financial inclusion, education access, and climate resilience.
The E4Impact-hosted forum provided a unique space for knowledge exchange and networking between African innovators and Italian stakeholders, reinforcing Italy’s growing role as a strategic partner in Africa’s technological transformation. As the continent moves forward in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, collaborations like these are poised to shape a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.
