In the framework of the project “Fostering international partnerships between companies and/or institutions operating in the energy and environment sectors”, funded by the Italian Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea, on 26 February 2021 UNIDO ITPO Italy arranged the virtual visit of an Ethiopian company with the participation of selected Italian companies and organizations operating in the field of solar energy.

In a period where travelling is very challenging, with this virtual initiative UNIDO ITPO Italy aimed at replicating an on-site company visit in the rural areas of Ethiopia with the support of digital tools, shortening the distances, generating engagement and facilitating B2B interactions.

The visit presented RET Energy Engineering - a leading turnkey sustainable energy solution providers and wholesale distributors of components in Africa - among the Italian companies. RET Energy Engineering is specialized in sizing, evaluation and design, procurement, installation, tests and commissioning, monitoring, maintenance and after-sales services of renewable energy systems.

The General Manager of RET Energy Engineering Eng. Taddese Diga Ayele had the opportunity to explain his company’s technological solutions and to introduce the project he is managing in the country to Mr. Giuseppe D’Alessandro of EEMAXX Engineering, Ms. Giulia del Ministro and Mr. Giacomo Battaini of Glocal Impact Network, Mr. Nicola Baggio of OffgridSun-FuturaSun, and Mr. Riccardo Frisinghelli of VP Solar.

All the Italian companies also had the opportunity to illustrate their own products and services to the Ethiopian counterpart, in order to exchange experiences and explore future potential collaborations in the renewable energy sector in the country.

During the virtual meeting, UNIDO ITPO Italy supported the development of new synergies between RET Energy Engineering and the four Italian counterparts; this will encourage follow-up activities in the forthcoming months as so to evaluate business partnerships.

Lastly, UNIDO ITPO Italy took the opportunity to invite the participants to attend its “Investment and Matchmaking Forum on Energy & Environment” scheduled from 17th to 19th March 2021, a platform where both Italian and Ethiopian companies have the possibility to showcase their products and services and to engage directly and discuss about business and investment opportunities.