Building on the success of the initiatives carried out in New York for Italy on Madison and in London during Clerkenwell Design Week, INTERNI renews its collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and arrives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for Italian Smart Living 2026, scheduled from July 7 to 9 at the Ethiopian Science Museum.

The event, dedicated to Italian design, architecture, and innovation, will bring together institutions, businesses, architects, designers, investors, and stakeholders from Ethiopia and East African countries.
The objective is to promote Made in Italy and create new opportunities for dialogue and partnership in a rapidly growing market, where the construction, hospitality, and real estate sectors are undergoing a phase of profound transformation.

«Following New York and London, Addis Ababa represents a new stage in our international journey,» states Gilda Bojardi, director of INTERNI. «Being a communication partner for Italian Smart Living 2026 means contributing to the spread of Italian design culture in a highly dynamic context, where architecture and design can offer a tangible contribution to city development and the quality of living.

The exchange between different professional figures, cultures, and skills has always been one of the founding values of our magazine, and it is a precious opportunity to foster new relationships and showcase Italian expertise in global markets».
Among the central moments of the event, on Tuesday, July 7, INTERNI will curate a talk focusing on the role of design as a driver for economic, social, and cultural development.

Taking part in the debate will be architect Duccio Grassi, a leading figure in numerous projects within the residential, retail, and hospitality sectors; Professor Fasil Giorghis, professor and chair of Conservation of Urban & Architectural Heritage at the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture; entrepreneur Kanessa Muluneh, head of Coerman-Muluneh; and Debay Million, General Manager of Dar Al-Handasah (Shair and Partners) and Special Ambassador for East Africa for the UNASDG.

The meeting, moderated by Carlo Biasia, will bring together Italian and Ethiopian experts to share experiences and visions on the future of cities, sustainable design, and technological development, fostering dialogue between the Italian production system and East African partners.

The Italian Smart Living calendar also includes an exhibition area dedicated to Italian design, furniture, and finishes companies, institutional meetings, B2B matchmaking sessions with Ethiopian buyers and decision-makers, and in-depth discussions on urban sustainability, smart cities, contemporary building technologies, energy efficiency, and investment opportunities in the real estate sector.

On Wednesday, July 8, architect Duccio Grassi will hold a masterclass on Italian design aimed at students, professionals, and businesses. An international urban regeneration competition will also be launched, focusing on Merkato, the largest open-air market in Africa, aimed at promoting sustainable urban development and involving younger generations in the city’s transformation processes.

As part of the activities aimed at promoting Made in Italy, the historic Residence of the Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa will host the exhibition of the Museo del Marchio Italiano (Museum of the Italian Brand), a narrative of the evolution of the brands that have helped build the Italian identity worldwide, in a venue of great historical and symbolic value for relations between Italy and Ethiopia.
With this event, INTERNI magazine confirms its commitment to promoting design culture as a tool for dialogue between businesses, institutions, and territories, reinforcing the benchmark role it has played for years in supporting the activities of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) to showcase and promote Italian excellence in international design and furniture markets.