The Italian–Libyan Chamber of Commerce has announced plans to establish a new branch office in Benghazi, marking an important move to deepen trade relations and boost economic ties between eastern Libya and Italy.
The announcement follows a series of engagement initiatives in the region. On June 5, 2024, the Chamber’s president, Nicola Colicchi, visited industrial facilities under Akakas Holding in Benghazi. During the visit, the group explored food preservation, freezing, grain milling, and fodder production businesses. The objective was clear: explore avenues for cooperation and “open the horizons of Libyan–Italian and European–African trade” .
In parallel, discussions with local authorities have highlighted Benghazi’s urgent need for post-conflict reconstruction, improved infrastructure, and revitalized public services. Saqr Boujouari, head of the city’s Steering Council, urged Italian investment in these areas, stressing that such engagement could significantly accelerate rebuilding efforts .
The new branch is expected to serve as a bridge for Italian firms seeking to enter or expand within Libya—particularly in key sectors such as construction, energy, food processing, and logistics—while also providing Libyan businesses with better access to Italian markets and expertise.
This expansion aligns with a broader strategy already in motion: since 2023, dozens of Benghazi-based companies have engaged with Italy’s Libyan–Italian Chamber through forums and exhibitions held in Rome, and several memoranda of understanding have been signed to encourage exchanges and partnerships .
The backing of both Libyan and Italian diplomatic platforms—reinforced by Benghazi’s reopening of the Italian consulate and regular maritime services—underscores a shinier backdrop for renewed collaboration. The branch’s launch further signals a return to regional business diplomacy, with Libya positioning itself as a more stable investment destination .
Officials from the Italian–Libyan Chamber say the branch will help coordinate trade missions, facilitate meetings, provide legal and commercial counsel to investors, and act as a local office for organizing exhibitions, trade fair participation, and joint ventures.
For Benghazi—a city striving to recover from years of conflict and to reestablish itself as eastern Libya’s economic hub—the branch could offer a lifeline: generating new business opportunities, supporting job creation, and injecting know-how into sectors that have suffered from decades of underdevelopment.
The project has received cautious optimism from both sides. Libyan stakeholders hope the physical presence of the Chamber will translate into tangible benefits—while Italian businesses anticipate a stronger foothold in a market ripe with reconstruction needs and strategic potential. The Benghazi branch is poised to open its doors later this year, with plans underway to host the first official delegation visit from Italy soon after launch.
Together, this development reflects not only a shift in Italy–Libya relations but also a broader push to rebuild post-war economies in North Africa through targeted commercial diplomacy.
Let me know if you’d like quotes from local business leaders, commentary on specific Italian companies involved, or a breakdown of major sectors this branch will focus on.
