Sace Financing Boosts Italian Exports to Africa 17%
Exporters can now utilize new credit facilities to de-risk trade agreements in target African nations.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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In the first half of 2026, Italian export credit agency Sace mobilized €6.7 billion across Africa, with €4.9 billion directed toward Mattei Plan nations. These efforts, which supported over 1,000 export contracts, helped drive a 17.2% year-on-year increase in Italian exports to the continent during that period.
Why it matters
The Mattei Plan is evolving from a political framework into a mechanism for economic infrastructure, providing operators with new financial tools to enter emerging African markets. Sace is using these guarantees and insurance products to de-risk transactions and bridge liquidity gaps for companies navigating complex international trade environments.
Sace mobilized €6.7 billion across Africa, including €4.9 billion in Mattei Plan target nations and €3 billion specifically in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. These operations supported 1,000 export contracts and connected 600 Italian companies with local partners.
The players
Sace
The Italian export credit agency that provides insurance, guarantees, and financial support to facilitate international trade for domestic companies.
The details
Sace utilizes its 'Push Strategy' to tie credit-backed financing for foreign counterparties directly to procurement requirements from Italian suppliers. The agency provides essential insurance and guarantees, collaborating with the banking system to mitigate capital risks. Additionally, the Africa Champion program has trained 500 firms to navigate these specific regulatory and trade landscapes.
Timeline
Italian exports to Africa rose 17.2% year-on-year during the first half of 2026.
Sace became the world's leading export credit agency for medium-to-long-term commitments in early 2026.
Market Landscape
The current mobilization follows the strategic integration of the Mattei Plan into Italian trade policy. This development marks a transition from political vision to economic infrastructure, setting a pattern for how state agencies manage export risk in high-growth African regions.
Operators looking to enter African markets should evaluate whether their export contracts qualify for Sace-backed financing or insurance programs. Businesses should monitor how the 'Push Strategy' procurement requirements may influence their local partner selection and supply chain stability.
The takeaway
Sace’s recent activity indicates that state-backed financing is increasingly tethered to specific procurement commitments, creating a 'pay-to-play' dynamic for firms entering the region. Operators should track the 14 business-matching events to identify potential local partners in the North African sector.
Further reading
For broader trends in international trade financing, see Economic Indicators.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Decode39.
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