Six key countries drive demand for Italian technologies in food, beverage and pharma

Priority markets and leading sectors

Africa is confirming itself as a high-potential area for Made in Italy packaging. According to a study carried out by africon GmbH and Mecs for Ucima, out of 54 African countries analyzed, six priority markets were identified: South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria, followed by Algeria, Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire.

In 2024, these countries recorded strong demand for packaging machinery, supported by expanding industrial systems and a significant role within regional value chains. The main drivers of demand are the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors.

In 2025, Africa counts more than 400 active pharmaceutical manufacturers, mainly concentrated in Egypt, South Africa, Algeria and Nigeria, which together account for over 75% of the continent’s production capacity. The food & beverage sector is even broader, with over 30,000 companies, mostly SMEs, and a shared trend toward increasing automation and the adoption of sustainable packaging solutions.

Italian leadership, sustainability and outlook

Between 2020 and 2024, Italy emerged as Africa’s leading supplier of packaging machinery, accounting for 28% of total imports, ahead of Germany (23%) and China (15%). Italian machines are particularly valued in filling, packaging and sealing technologies, thanks to their high quality, reliability and production efficiency.

The report also highlights growing interest in sustainable packaging, driven by regulations and bans on single-use plastics introduced in several African countries, with Rwanda and Kenya among the most advanced. However, some risk factors remain, including corruption, inflation and access to foreign currency, especially in Egypt and Nigeria.

In the medium to long term, the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) — involving 54 countries and a market of 1.3 billion people — is expected to further strengthen opportunities for Italian packaging technologies, making Africa an increasingly strategic destination for exports.