Ecco Chamber
Fortnightly Italian news made in South Africa
I edition September 2025
Networking with a SMILE
EU Investments Survey
A business environment study on EU investments in clean value chains in South Africa is currently underway.
The survey is being conducted on behalf of the EU Delegation to South Africa by Particip GmbH, an independent consultancy.
The focus is on three critical sectors:
RENEWABLE ENERGY
(wind, solar, grid-scale storage)
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
(e.g. cooling equipment, smart grids,energy efficiency)
CLEAN FUELS
(green/clean hydrogen, ammonia, sustainable aviation fuels, maritime biofuels)
We encourage you to participate by completing the survey here:
SMILE Networking Event
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We are thrilled to announce a SMILE Networking event, brought to you by COM.IT.ES, the Consulate General of Italy in Johannesburg, and ItalCham.
Enjoy the vibrant energy of networking with like-minded Italian businesses present in South Africa!
We are honored to announce the attendance of
Francesco Lollobrigida,
Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, at the event.
Date: 16 September 2025
Time: From 17:30 - 21:00
Location: The Italian Sporting Club, 7 Marais Rd, Bedfordview, Pool House
Only SMILE members are eligible to register for this event.
Limited space available. First-come, first-served.
Not a SMILE member yet?
SMILE Members Benefit From:
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Increased visibility within the small- to medium-sized Italian enterprises community in South Africa
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Access to a pool of talented Italians within South Africa
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Revitalising collaboration between Italian companies and the Italian-South African community
We look forward to seeing you there!
The Economic Climate for 2026
ItalCham, together with our Chamber partners, is pleased to invite you to an exclusive economic outlook session with renowned economist Dawie Roodt.
This event will provide valuable foresight into the global and local factors shaping the business environment as we move towards 2026.
Key themes to be explored:
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Recent demographic trends and their impact on economies
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Shifts in global economic dynamics
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Industries with strong growth potential
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The intersection of world politics and economics
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Local political and economic considerations
📅 Date: Thursday, 02 October 2025
🕐 Time: 13:30 – 16:00
📍 Venue: 7th Floor, JCC House, 27 Owl Street, Cnr Empire Road, Milpark
Participation Fee:
Chamber Members: R295 (Ex VAT)
Non-Members: R395 (Ex VAT)
Parking: Limited enclosed parking at 27 Owl Street (no cost) | Additional undercover parking available opposite Milpark Garden Court (not included).
We look forward to welcoming you to this insightful discussion, which promises to equip your business with knowledge to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the coming year.
Driving Business Forward:
The 4th European Chambers
Golf Day Tees Off in Cape Town
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Once again, ItalCham will join its European counterparts for the
4th Annual European Chambers Golf Day,
taking place on Friday, 7 November 2025
at the scenic Metropolitan Golf Club in Cape Town.
This exclusive event brings together members of the European business community for a day of strategic networking and friendly competition.
Set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Seaboard, the Golf Day offers more than just a game — it is a curated platform for fostering transnational business relationships, engaging with industry leaders, and championing the collective strength of Europe’s economic presence in the region.
Hosted in partnership with the Belgian, British, Spanish, Netherlands and Portuguese Chambers, this is more than just a game of golf — it’s an opportunity to drive business forward and strengthen European ties
in South Africa.
Mark your calendar and get ready to swing into new business opportunities.
View our sponsorship packages for the Golf Day
If you would like to participate or to become a sponsor contact Anna-Maria:
12th CEO Dialogue
on Southern Africa
The 12th edition of the TEHA CEO Dialogue on Southern Africa, Ambrosetti’s flagship Forum on the continent, will take place on the
20th and 21st of November 2025 at The Houghton Hotel (Lloys Ellis Avenue) Johannesburg.
This exclusive, high-level summit will bring together 200+ CEOs, ministers, economists, and global thought leaders to shape the future of business and policy in Africa.
With coverage from international media such as Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC, Business Day, SABC News, and Newzroom, the Dialogue promises unmatched visibility and impact.
The event has the following objectives:
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Promoting unique business opportunities in the region.
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Strengthening business and political relations among companies and institutions.
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Providing business and political leaders with innovative approaches and ideas capable of shaping their strategies.
Alongside the discussions, participants will enjoy a
cocktail reception and gala dinner,
providing an exclusive networking experience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Africa’s premier business and leadership forum.
Italy in Town 2025
Vendor Application
22-23 November
🍝 Be Part of Cape Town’s Biggest Italian Celebration!
Italy in Town is back on 22–23 November 2025 at the Cape Quarter — and we’re expecting 10,000 visitors in just two days!
This is your chance to showcase your products, connect with thousands of potential customers, and be part of a vibrant Italian experience filled with food, wine, music, and culture.
Spaces are limited — secure your stand today!
📧 Fill out the application form and send it to enquiries@italcham.co.za to register.
Webinar Recap:
Navigating An Upside-Down World
The recent webinar with Nedbank’s Chief Economist, Nicky Weimar, held on 1st of September, provided a sobering yet insightful look at the state of South Africa’s economy within the shifting global landscape.
Weimar highlighted how South Africa remains trapped in a low-growth spiral, with recovery still modest and uneven. Producers, exporters, and consumers alike are under pressure as global demand slows and external challenges intensify. She noted concerns around the decline of the dollar, growing distrust of a rules-based global order, and the potential non-renewal of AGOA—all of which present significant risks for South Africa’s exporters.
Despite the headwinds, there are small signs of progress. Improvements in Eskom’s energy availability, the slow pace of logistics reform, and government’s focus on infrastructure priorities offer glimmers of hope. However, inefficiencies in state institutions and the lack of meaningful investment continue to weigh heavily on the outlook.
Inflation, while largely under control, is being driven by electricity costs and food price pressures, underscoring the fragile balance of household finances.
Overall, the global slowdown and domestic structural issues suggest that South Africa’s growth will remain constrained. Weimar’s analysis underlined the urgency for reforms that can unlock competitiveness, investment, and resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.
Welcoming Our New Member
ABSA
Absa Group Limited (‘Absa Group’) is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is one of Africa’s largest diversified financial services groups.
Absa Group offers an integrated set of products and services across personal and business banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth and investment management and insurance.
Absa Group owns majority stakes in banks in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania (Absa Bank Tanzania and National Bank of Commerce), Uganda and Zambia and has insurance operations in Kenya and South Africa. Absa also has offices in the People’s Republic of China, Namibia, Nigeria and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with technology support colleagues in the Czech Republic.
For further information about Absa Group Limited, visit www.absa.africa.
Joanita Baguma CA(SA)
Coverage Banker / International Coverage
Corporate and Investment Banking: Coverage
T +27 (0)11 895 6785
M +27 (0)83 3420776
Absa, Absa Capital, 15 Alice Lane, Sandton 2196
Tshepo Ncube
Head International Client Coverage
Corporate and Investment Banking: Coverage
Personal Assistance: Wendy Johnson
| +27 83 3903957|wendy.johnson@absa.africa
T +27 11 772 7543
M +27 82 880 6687
E tshepo.ncube@absa.africa
Absa, 1st Floor, South Building, Sandton Campus, 15 Alice Ln, Sandown, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
Christina Smith
Senior Marketing Manager: Strategic Projects
Corporate and Investment Banking
T +27 10 245 4389
M +27 72 499 9683
Absa, Absa Capital, 15 Alice Lane, Sandton 2196
job board
View the job vacancies on the SMILE website
via this link - CLICK HERE
If you are currently hiring,
please take a look at SMILE-vetted candidates HERE
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Alla prossima!