Italy has formally committed to supporting Ghana's development agenda, highlighted by a strong national pavilion at the recent West African Mining & Power Expo (WAMPEX) 2026. This initiative signals Italy's deepening partnership with Ghana. It aims to support sustainable development goals across the mining, energy, and industrial sectors.
Italy’s participation directly supports Ghana’s national ambition. Ghana seeks to manage its natural resources responsibly while boosting economic growth. The collaboration focuses on job creation, technology transfer, and environmental sustainability. This effort also fits into Italy's broader Mattei Plan for Africa, which promotes fair partnerships in energy, infrastructure, and human capital development.
This partnership aligns with Ghana’s long-term economic strategy. Ghana aims to diversify its economy and achieve sustainable growth. Italy facilitates this through technology transfer and increased investments. The current bilateral trade volume between Ghana and Italy stands at approximately 700 million Euros. The goal is to increase this figure, creating mutual economic benefits for both nations.
The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Laura Ranalli, emphasized the significance of this engagement. Speaking at the Italian Pavilion's opening, she stated, “The expo offers valuable opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations between Ghana and Italy.” She further noted that Italy seeks to expand cooperation in mining, energy, technology, and infrastructure.
Italy has a proven history of contributing to Ghana's infrastructure and energy landscape. This includes landmark projects like the Akosombo Dam. Ongoing collaborations with companies such as Eni in the oil and gas sector also demonstrate this commitment. The strong presence at WAMPEX builds on this foundation. It positions Italian expertise as a key factor for Ghana's shift towards more efficient and greener operations in mining and power.
Luigi Puca, Director of the Italian Trade Agency in Accra, highlighted the importance of the first-ever Italian National Pavilion. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to attracting more Italian businesses to Ghana. This includes fostering partnerships with local companies. Mr. Puca stressed, “We provide a broad range of technologies for mining and energy, with a focus on sustainability.” He also noted Italy's significant capacity in clean energy.
Participating Italian companies showcased advanced technologies. Metalgalante (CARMIX) displayed small mobile off-road batching plants. Diefenbach specializes in filter presses and thickeners for various industries, including mining and battery recycling. Horus, an engineering firm, offers integrated services for renewable energy plants. Other exhibitors included Davi-Promau, a manufacturer of plate rolling machines for heavy equipment, and Bedeschi, which provides tailor-made bulk handling solutions. Solutions include crushing units, stackers, reclaimers, and shiploaders.
WAMPEX 2026 took place from June 3-5 at the La Palm Beach Hotel in Accra. The event attracted over 6,000 mining professionals. It featured more than 250 exhibitors from over 25 countries. Key policymakers also attended. The expo served as a vital platform for networking and deal-making. This comes as the West African mining sector is projected for significant growth in the coming years.