Agribusinesses from East Africa can leverage technological scaling and market modernisation opportunity as the 47th edition of EIMA International gears up to return in Bologna from 10-14 November
East Africa's export-driven agricultural sector will especially benefit from the event as it will expand the region's reach to Italy.
The market opportunity: Untapped potential
Digital integration remains the need of the hour to effectively commercialise Ethiopia's vast agricultural potential, which is the region's backbone.
The country is blessed with a diverse climate suitable for everything from cereals and pulses to oilseeds, the country has already established itself as the world’s third-largest producer of Arabica coffee.
Despite this, agribusinesses face persistent operational bottlenecks like low mechanisation levels: Limited access to modern tools hinders large-scale productivity. There are infrastructure gaps with growth frequently stalled by insufficient irrigation and a lack of transport and storage infrastructure. There is a need for digital integration with a critical requirement for training technical staff to operate digital systems and next-generation machinery.
Strategic solutions and know-how transfer
The partnership with Italian industry is designed to go beyond simple equipment sales; it focuses on supply chain efficiency and the transfer of technical know-how.
Italian manufacturers are positioning themselves to offer advanced, sustainable technologies that can optimise production and improve the quality of agri-food supply chains.
For Ethiopian operators, the EIMA International exhibition in Bologna (November 10–14) serves as a vital procurement and networking platform. The scale of the event provides an unprecedented look at the global market with 1,800+ manufacturers offering more than 60,000 models of machinery. 14 product sectors are organised into seven thematic showcases to help businesses find specific technological solutions. Ensuring tailored technology, exhibitions are designed to match the specific production needs of the Ethiopian primary and gardening sectors.
Facilitating B2B growth
To ensure these technological advancements translate into commercial reality, an official delegation of Ethiopian business representatives will attend the Bologna event, organised by ICE and FederUnacoma.
This delegation will participate in structured business-to-business (B2B) meetings designed to match Ethiopian operators with the specific technologies prioritized for the country’s development.
As Claudio Pasqualucci, director of the ICE office in Addis Ababa, noted, EIMA International represents an "ideal platform for fostering new commercial and industrial relationships" that can increase productivity and efficiency across the entire supply chain.
For agribusinesses looking to modernise, this partnership offers a clear pathway to high-calibre industrial cooperation.
EIMA International holds roadshow in Ethiopia
