Microsoft Word - Italy country report.doc

This report details Italy's foreign policy and diplomatic, economic, and security relations with Africa, with a specific focus on the Horn of Africa and bilateral ties with South Africa.

• Italy's Africa policy is heavily influenced by its colonial history in Eritrea and Somalia and its military occupation of Ethiopia, leading the Italian government to treat the Horn of Africa as a "natural priority" in its sub-Saharan foreign policy.
• Italian development aid is strategically allocated based on proximity to Italy and the goal of maintaining security in the Mediterranean and Balkan regions, as well as controlling immigration. In 2003, Tunisia and Algeria were among the top 10 recipients of Italian Official Development Assistance (ODA).
• Despite commitments by the Silvio Berlusconi government to increase aid—including a target of 0.7% of GNI by 2015—total Italian ODA has been shrinking since the early 1990s. In 2003, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the largest recipient of Italy's gross ODA, receiving $235 million.
• Italy maintains significant trade relations across Africa, claiming to be the continent's sixth-largest trade partner. Libya is Italy's primary oil supplier, providing 25% of its oil needs, while Tunisia was the top African importer of Italian goods and the top African exporter to Italy in 2003.
• Bilateral relations between Italy and South Africa are characterized by strong trade and mutual investment. Italy has been a top 10 trading partner for South Africa for a decade, with South Africa exporting primarily gold and coal. Notable investments include SASOL's production plants in Italy and SAB Miller's 2003 purchase of a 60% stake in the Peroni brewery for €246 million.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Microsoft Word - Italy country report.doc. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_italy_country_report.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Microsoft Word - Italy country report.doc. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_italy_country_report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Microsoft Word - Italy country report.doc |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_italy_country_report.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndmicrosoft, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Microsoft Word - Italy country report.doc}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_italy_country_report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }