It was a really busy day (and a half) for Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio in Nairobi.
The representative of our government left the capital last night, Tuesday, June 14, after meeting at State House with President Uhuru Kenyatta, who then followed him to the inauguration of the Ngong health hub, built and equipped by the San Donato Group, as we had previewed in November 2020 during the visit of Kenyan Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe and Italian Ambassador to Kenya Alberto Pieri.
Di Maio took the opportunity of an already scheduled visit to the Horn of Africa, whose problems have magnified since the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, to see for himself the agreements and investments of Italian companies in Nairobi, also meeting with compatriot entrepreneurs from various sectors. In addition to “Kenya International Mental Wellness Hospital” in Ngong, which he visited with Kenyatta, Kagwe, and Gsd Healthcare Middle East chairman and San Donato Group vice chairman Kamel Ghribi, Di Maio, Ambassador Pieri, and the Italian delegation attended the Konza Smart City, sustainable technology hub in whose construction the Vicenza-based ICM-Impresa Costruzioni Maltauro group is also engaged.
In the very tight schedule, which also included a breakfast with Foreign Affairs colleague Raychelle Omamo to discuss security, counterterrorism and cooperation, Di Maio found time to learn more about the Italian reality in Kenya, attending a reception in his honor Monday evening at the Ambassador's residence and attending a lunch with other compatriots the next day in Karen.
It was a fruitful lightning visit that consolidates, if there was any need, the good relations between the two nations and hopefully will highlight the opportunities that Italian investors should seize at the drop of a hat in a friendly country experiencing great economic growth and with ample future prospects.