Africa Day 2026: Italy and Africa together through sport, culture and youth

On the occasion of Africa Day 2026, celebrated annually on 25 May to mark the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, Italy is dedicating this year's initiative, "Italy-Africa: cultures in play", to the role of sport as a driver of social, educational and economic development. The event, to be held next Monday at the Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana Treccani, will bring together Olympic champions, members of the Italian national teams, international coaches, sports executives, universities and organisations engaged in cooperation between Italy and Africa.

Following the introductory remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, significant space will be devoted to athletes and their personal stories, which represent a symbol of integration, education and development through sport. Across the various panels, athletes will share their success stories, the educational value of sport and its role as an opportunity for inclusion, personal growth and intercultural dialogue.

The first panel will focus on sport as a shared heritage and a tool for intercultural dialogue, highlighting the experiences of athletes who today represent a natural bridge between Italy and Africa. Among the speakers are Daisy Oyemwenosa Osakue, a second-generation Italian athlete born in Turin to Nigerian parents, two-time Olympian and Italian record holder in the discus throw; Maria Benedicta Chigbolu, former Italian 400m athlete of Nigerian descent and Vénuste Niyongabo, Burundian Olympic champion in the 5000 metres in Atlanta 1996, now active in Burundi on projects related to sport, education and youth cooperation. Fabrizio Cesana will also speak. He is an Italian coach who has been working for over ten years on the development of football in the Republic of the Congo and is currently head coach of the Congolese national team.

The second panel will explore the educational and formative value of sport, with a focus on international mobility, social inclusion, nutrition and opportunities for young people. Among the guests are Distel Zola, former midfielder for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now, together with the World Food Programme, a promoter of initiatives on nutrition and school meals, as well as young international athletics talents such as Simon Rugut Kipngetich, a marathon and middle-distance runner, Onesphore Nzikwinkunda and Abderezak Suleman, middle-distance runners engaged in athletic and educational development pathways, and Yohanes Chiappinelli, Italian middle- and long-distance runner and one of the leading figures in Italian distance running.

The closing session will be dedicated to the relationship between sport, innovation and economic development, with the participation of business leaders, sports federations and organisations operating between Europe and Africa. Abderrazak Allam, former Moroccan national volleyball player, will also speak. He is engaged in promoting volleyball and beach volleyball as educational tools and instruments for the growth of younger generations.

Through sport, culture and education, Africa Day represents an opportunity to strengthen ties between Italy and the African continent, promoting youth, talent and cooperation opportunities among civil society, universities, businesses and the sporting world.

Press accreditation: Nota di accreditamento stampa - Giornata dell'Africa 2026