Codeway 2026: Rome to Host Italy's Premier Sustainable Development Fair with 30+ Panels and 100 Speakers

Key facts

• Codeway 2026 takes place at Fiera di Roma from May 13 to 15, 2026.
• Over 30 panels and 100 speakers are scheduled across five conference halls.
• The event has patronage from Maeci, the Environment Ministry, and Aics.
• A B2B & Networking Area will facilitate meetings between businesses, institutions, and multilateral organizations.
• The first day includes a session on UN procurement from Unops, Unhcr, Wfp, Fao, and Undp.
• Gavi, the Global Fund, and Cepi will present global health procurement opportunities.
• Uganda is featured as a regional business hub for Italian companies in East Africa.
• The Misura Imprese Impatto and Sviluppo+ tools will be presented as key financial instruments.

Private Sector Takes Center Stage at Codeway 2026

Codeway 2026, Italy's international fair for cooperation and sustainable development, will convene at Fiera di Roma from May 13 to 15, 2026, with a clear thematic mandate: “Il settore privato al centro di crescita e sviluppo” (The private sector at the center of growth and development). The event, now in its latest edition, transforms from a mere networking platform into a strategic ecosystem where businesses are recognized as structural, not ancillary, actors in international cooperation. Over three days, more than 30 panels and 100 speakers will fill five conference halls, addressing how small and medium enterprises, large corporations, startups, and investors can turn responsible business intentions into concrete, financed, and scalable projects. The fair enjoys patronage from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Maeci), the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (Aics).

Day One: Financial Tools and UN Procurement Opportunities

The first day is built around a practical question: what instruments do Italian companies have to operate in cooperation markets? The answer unfolds across three complementary fronts: public finance, access to multilateral procurement systems, and global health sector opportunities. A morning panel (11:00-12:00) will present two key measures. The Misura Imprese Impatto is a new digital ecosystem that simplifies access to tenders, reporting, and impact certification, reducing bureaucratic costs and making Italian projects more competitive and bankable internationally. Sviluppo+ is a financing tool supporting business growth in partner countries, with a priority on Africa, offering equity injections from €250,000 to €10 million. These are part of a broader suite of financial and insurance instruments from Sace, Simest, and Ice, all present at Codeway with their own stands.

Uganda as a Gateway to East Africa

A dedicated session (12:00-13:00), organized with Unido Itpo Italy and law firm Bergs & More, will focus on Uganda as a regional hub for East Africa. Titled “Uganda-Italia: un business hub per l’industrializzazione sostenibile,” it will present the Business Hub at the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Uncci) as a permanent operational platform for Italian companies in agro-industry, manufacturing, ICT, and green economy. Representatives from Aics and Uganda’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives will participate, underscoring the strategic importance of the partnership.

Global Health: Accessing International Funds

At 13:45, the focus shifts to global health. The panel “Salute globale, quali opportunità per il settore privato?” will bring together representatives from Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Cepi (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations). Discussion will center on how Italian excellence in pharmaceuticals, biotech, and medical devices can integrate into global procurement mechanisms and strengthen health systems in partner countries, with emphasis on local production capacity, last-mile logistics, and supply chain resilience.

Political Opening and UN Procurement Deep Dive

The official political opening is scheduled for 15:00, with top institutional representatives from foreign affairs and cooperation expected. The day will close (16:00-17:30) with a critical session on UN procurement, featuring Unops, Unhcr, Wfp, Fao, and Undp. This session will analyze the impact of humanitarian emergencies, conflicts, and natural disasters on global supply chains, and provide exclusive insights into UN operational needs and growing opportunities for the private sector. Experts will highlight upcoming tenders in energy, health, agriculture, infrastructure, and digitalization, helping companies navigate a procurement ecosystem worth over $25 billion and align technical capabilities with UN social impact goals.

A Systemic Shift in Italian Cooperation

Codeway 2026 represents a systemic shift in how Italy approaches international cooperation. By placing the private sector at the core, the fair acknowledges that sustainable development cannot be achieved by public actors alone. The presence of key national agencies — Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Sace, Simest — alongside multilateral bodies like UN agencies and international health funds, signals a coordinated effort to create a seamless pipeline from intention to impact. Attendance is free and open to all, with registration required via the Fiera di Roma website. The event runs from May 13 to 15, 2026, at Fiera di Roma.

The bottom line

• Codeway 2026 runs May 13–15 at Fiera di Roma, with over 30 panels and 100 speakers.
• The theme positions the private sector as central to cooperation and development.
• New financial tools Misura Imprese Impatto and Sviluppo+ aim to reduce bureaucracy and boost investment in partner countries, especially Africa.
• UN procurement agencies will present opportunities worth over $25 billion in sectors like energy, health, and infrastructure.
• Global health funds Gavi, Global Fund, and Cepi will discuss procurement for pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
• Uganda is highlighted as a business hub for Italian companies in East Africa.