ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Uganda's interior designers are among regional industry professionals participating in the second edition of the Italian Smart Living Expo 2026, which opened at the Ethiopia Science Museum in Addis Ababa, bringing together Italian companies, architects, developers, investors and policymakers to showcase the latest innovations in design, construction and smart living.
Organised by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) in collaboration with the National Confederation of Craft and Small and Medium Enterprises (CNA), the three-day exhibition has attracted participants from Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and other countries, providing a regional platform for business networking, knowledge exchange and investment opportunities.
Held under the theme, "Italian Smart Living – Elegance You Can Live In," the expo features exhibitions of Italian furniture, architectural lighting, premium building materials, interior design concepts and smart home technologies.
The programme also includes discussions on sustainable construction, smart cities, hospitality design and real estate investment.
Participants are also taking part in business-to-business matchmaking sessions linking Italian suppliers with Ethiopian buyers and developers, an Italian Design Masterclass led by renowned architect Duccio Grassi, an urban regeneration competition focused on Addis Ababa's Merkato district, and a special exhibition tracing the evolution of iconic Italian design brands.
Uganda is represented by members of the Interior Designers Association of Uganda (IDAU), who are using the platform to showcase the country's growing interior design industry while exploring opportunities for partnerships with international firms.
Speaking at the expo, IDAU Vice President Maureen Atyek described the event as an important opportunity for professional development and regional collaboration.
"This event is important because it gives us an opportunity for knowledge sharing, benchmarking and building partnerships with designers and industry leaders from across the region and beyond. Our hope is that the experience and networks we build here will help us organise a similar international design expo in Uganda in the future," Atyek said.
Ahead of the official opening, the Italian Ambassador to Ethiopia hosted business leaders, diplomats and designers at his Villa Italia residence, where he described the exhibition as a celebration of the excellence of Made in Italy and a platform for sharing decades of expertise in architecture, design, construction and real estate.
"Italian Smart Living is a great showcase of Made in Italy. It brings together outstanding designers and professionals in the building, construction and real estate sectors to share knowledge that has stood the test of time. We also hope that this same expo can one day be brought to Uganda," the ambassador said.
Organisers said the exhibition reflects Italy's commitment to promoting innovation, sustainability and long-term economic cooperation with Ethiopia and the wider East African region.
With Ethiopia continuing to invest heavily in urban development, hospitality infrastructure and modern housing projects, organisers believe the expo will strengthen commercial partnerships while exposing regional designers to global trends and best practices that can be adapted to local markets.
The exhibition runs until July 9, 2026, with the final day open to the public, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Italian innovation in design, technology and smart living solutions firsthand.
