On 10^th March 2025, KEPSA Ag. Deputy CEO and Global Director of Youth & Jobs, Dr. Ehud Gachugu joined other leaders during the launch of the CDP Business Matching Platform into the Kenyan market. Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the main Italian financial institution for economic development owned by the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy, hosted the event at the Capital Club in Nairobi. The platform, created through a collaboration of Italian economic entities, facilitates connections between Italian and foreign businesses, particularly SMEs. It employs an algorithm to automatically match companies based on their stated business strategies, enabling B2B meetings in a safe, easy, and smart environment.

What is the CDP Business Matching Platform? The digital tool facilitates business matching free of charge centered toward International companies looking for Italian business partners and also Italian companies interested in developing commercial relations abroad. The platform developed in 9 languages allows companies to meet and share objectives with the added advantage of having a live interpreter in business meetings based on request. Kenyan companies can already register for free on the Platform, attend webinars, and request to meet Italian companies in digital B2Bs and access a database of high-quality Italian business community with more than 5,000 Italian companies already registered in the database and on  total over 9,000 companies and users through https://businessmatching.cdp.it/en/welcome

The CDP Business Matching Platform is part of the larger Mattei Plan for Africa launched in January 2024, during the Italy- Africa summit aimed at creating a new development and partnership model with Africa. Speaking during the event Roberto Natali, Ambassador of Italy to Kenya hailed the platform as a game changer in how Kenya and Italy do business, “Kenya is one of the key partners in the Italy Mattei plan,  launched in January 2024 at the Italy Africa conference in Rome, aimed at fostering mutual beneficial collaborations in priority areas selected by African Countries such as promotions of exports in investments, education, higher education, and vocational training, research and innovation, food security, environmental protection, space sector, renewable energy sources and Tourism” On the Italy-Kenya relations he said, “I am glad to confirm that business relations between Kenya and Italy are positive much more after the visit of our president Sergio Mattarella in March 2023. There is a huge potential for trade in goods and services in which the private sector can participate”

The private sector is a key partner for the actualization of the Kenya Italy relations. Italy is the 21st destination market for Kenyan exporters while on the other hand, Kenya is the 9th destination market for Italian exporters. Speaking during the event Ag. Deputy CEO and Global Director of Youth & Jobs, Dr. Ehud Gachugu said that Italy remains a key trade and investment partner for Kenya, with bilateral trade surpassing €500 million in 2024, “One of our priorities as KEPSA is to strengthen international trade partnerships. Italy remains a key partner, with strong bilateral ties in manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, ICT, and renewable energy. This engagement provides a platform for businesses from both countries to explore synergies and leverage growth opportunities” On the CDP Business Matching Platform, “For KEPSA, this platform represents more than just a digital business-matching tool—it is a game-changer for accelerating trade connections, improving market access, and fostering global partnerships. Having been actively involved in similar endeavors in the past, KEPSA understands the importance of creating efficient pathways for businesses to scale beyond borders” said Dr. Ehud Gachugu

One of the key highlights during the event was the investment opportunities in both countries. Kenya attracts investment due to its stable economy, democratic governance, youthful and educated workforce, leadership in renewable energy, strategic logistical position, and investor-friendly policies. Italy on the other hand offers access to the EU market, particularly advantageous for Kenyan exporters after a recent trade deal between Kenya and the EU, and is a significant market for both nations, especially in pharmaceuticals and advanced technologies, further bolstered by the Mattei Plan.