Message by the Ambassador of Italy to Zambia and Malawi, H.E. Enrico De Agostini
Italy has contributed to the development of Zambia since 1955 when the first Italians arrived in this country for the construction of the famous Kariba Dam, the greatest feat of engineering in Africa at the time. Many of them have stayed. Others have joined them since to form a vibrant and successful community which is fully integrated into Zambian society.
The Italian community in Malawi, although small, has even older traditions as it dates back to the aftermath of the First World War. Its contribution to the development of that nation has been extraordinary, especially in the field of agriculture.
This pioneering spirit will provide my inspiration as I take up the role of Italy’s Ambassador to Zambia and Malawi.
I am proud to represent a nation which is famous for its genius in art and its excellence in technological innovation as well as for its inclusive and cooperative approach to international relations.
As an Embassy, we will strive to strengthen the existing, excellent relations between Italy and Zambia, as well as Italy and Malawi, both from a political and an economic point of view. In order to do so, we will support the business community and promote cultural exchange between Italian and local artists, in cooperation with the Italian Zambian Cultural Centre, the Italian School of Lusaka and the Dante Alighieri Society of Lusaka.
We will also support the many Italians who have chosen to live and work in the two countries and who make a difference to the lives of many disadvantaged Zambians and Malawians through various development cooperation projects.
I hope that you will find our website useful and informative, but please do not hesitate to contact us for questions, comments and suggestions.
Enrico De Agostini
Ambassador of Italy to Zambia, Malawi and Special Representative to COMESA
Curriculum Vitae
Enrico de Agostini, a career diplomat, has served in the United Arab Emirates 1993 – 1997), Ghana (1997-1999) and Mozambique (2004 -2007) as Deputy Chief of Mission, in Dortmund as Consul (1999 – 2001), in Johannesburg (2007 – 2011) and Munich (2019- 2023) as Consul General, in Zimbabwe as Ambassador (2014 – 2018). He was elected four times president of the National Union of Employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2002, 2003, 2012 and 2013).
Since January 16, 2023, he has been Ambassador of Italy to Zambia and Malawi, with residence in Lusaka.
During his career, he has organized numerous cultural events, including “L’Italia in Piazza” in Johannesburg” (2009, 2011), “Music” in Harare (2014 – 2017) and “Samnium and the Samnites” in Munich – the largest archaeological exhibition ever conceived on the Samnite people.
He is among the founders of the Crawford Italia School in Johannesburg.
He has published the essay “Diplomatico, chi è costui?” (Franco Angeli, 2006), the project to reform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “RiFarnesina” (2012), the novels “Un Prosciutto e Dieci Ducati”, (2016, winner of the Mauri Spagnol Publishing Group’s “Io Scrittore” literary competition) and “MIND” (Robin, 2018), from which the short film of the same name was adapted and for which he is also a screenwriter.
He speaks Italian, English, German, French, Portuguese and Shona.
