We can strengthen the international competitiveness of Italian businesses with strategic interests in Africa, supporting production and commercial investments, also for digitalisation and sustainability, as well as expenses for training and recruiting local staff.

N.B. measure pursuant to Article 10 of Italian Decree Law 89/2024

New: from 16 September 2025, extension of the non-repayable grant up to 20% for innovative start-ups and innovative SMEs. In addition, the offer is enhanced with new eligible expenses related to the identification of new business opportunities.

To Italian companies that:

I. intend to commit to investing in Africa, or

II. that they are permanently present or export or source supplies in Africa, or

III. that they are regular suppliers to the aforementioned companies, in accordance with the requirements set out in the Circular.

The instrument allows for the financing of expenses aimed at strengthening the financial soundness of the company, including in Italy, financing the increase in share capital and shareholder loans of the subsidiaries of the applicant company, as well as expenses strictly related to the implementation of investments and the identification of new business opportunities and promotional expenses, including temporary stores, advisory/strategic consulting activities for market entry, travel and accommodation expenses for the development of commercial partnerships with local entities.

In addition, it will be possible to finance expenses for the training of African personnel in Italy or Africa, travel expenses, entry and regularisation expenses in Italy for recruitment, as well as expenses for employment contracts for the training and integration of personnel from the African continent, without prejudice to the requirements and constraints set out in the relevant Circular.

Maximum amount that may be financed: the maximum amount of the Subsidised Loan that may be applied for is equal to the lesser of:

• 35% of average revenues resulting from the last two Financial Statements (line item A1 of the income statement)
• €500,000 for Micro Businesses; €2,500,000 for innovative start-ups and SMEs; €5,000,000 for Other businesses
• Minimum amount equal to € 10,000

Maximum grant:

• up to 20% of the total amount of the Subsidised Loan applied for, for up to a maximum amount of €200,000.00, and in any case within the limits of the de minimis ceiling available for the business, for enterprises with at least one operating base running for at least 6 months in a region of Southern Italy.
• up to 10% of the amount of the Subsidised Loan applied for, for up to a maximum of €100,000.00 and in any case within the limits of the de minimis ceiling available, for all other businesses

It is also possible to request an exemption from providing guarantees*
*measure pursuant to Article 15 of Italian Decree Law 113/2024 and subject to its conversion into law

It is also possible to request an exemption from providing guarantees*
*measure pursuant to Article 15 of Italian Decree Law 113/2024 and subject to its conversion into law

• From 9 a.m. on 7 August 2025, it will be possible to access the Portal to complete and submit funding applications relating to the “Digital or Ecological Transition” instrument.
• From 6 p.m. on 6 August until 9 a.m. on 7 August, the Portal will be offline for updating in preparation for opening, and no operations will be possible.
• From 9 a.m. on 16 September 2025, it will be possible to access the Portal to complete and submit funding applications relating to (i) the new instrument “Strategic support for the Indian market”, (ii) the new dedicated conditions for ‘Competitiveness of Italian companies and supply chains in Central or South America’ and ‘Strengthening African markets’, (iii) the new dedicated conditions for strategic markets for ‘Market entry’, ‘Certifications and consulting’, ‘Trade fairs and events’, ‘E-commerce’, ‘Temporary managers’.
• From 6 p.m. on 15 September until 9 a.m. on 16 September, the Portal will be offline for updating in preparation for opening, and no operations will be possible.

Filling out the request

• For the purpose of filling out the application, it is necessary to (i) attach all the necessary Documentation as per the Circular, (ii) indicate the information of the legal representative, (iii) indicate the information of the beneficial owner of the requesting Enterprise, (iv) upload the contract for opening the dedicated current account, (v) Articles of Association of the enterprise. All documents must be digitally signed.
• In any case, the submission of the application does not imply the right to the deliberation/grant of the intervention, which remains subject to the completeness of the application, the existence of the access requirements, the successful completion of the SIMEST preliminary investigation and the actual availability of financial resources, as well as the positive deliberation by the Facilities Committee.