Peers Learning Mission to Italy 2026

Rome hosted, for the first time since the launch of the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, a high-level Executive Peer Learning Mission of the Association of African Election Authorities (AAEA), implemented by the African Union Commission and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), with the support of Italy through the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Held from 4 to 8 May 2026, the mission brought together Chairpersons and representatives of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) from countries participating in Italy’s Piano Mattei initiative, alongside representatives of continental and regional African electoral networks, for a week of peer exchange and comparative dialogue on contemporary electoral challenges and democratic governance.

The programme focused on key themes shaping the future of electoral integrity and democratic resilience, including electoral governance and institutional frameworks, artificial intelligence in electoral processes, media integrity and disinformation, cybersecurity, and emerging threats to public trust in democratic institutions. Particular attention was dedicated to digital transformation in elections, the governance of AI technologies, cybersecurity risks, and the protection of electoral infrastructure.

The opening session featured remarks by Stefano De Leo, Deputy Director-General for Globalisation and Global Issues and Central Director for Sub-Saharan African Countries at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of ECES; and Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana and President of the AAEA.

Throughout the week, participants engaged with Italian institutional experts, academics, cybersecurity specialists, and electoral practitioners on Italy’s electoral system, electoral management framework, and contemporary challenges linked to digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and democratic legitimacy in the digital era. Sessions were hosted in partnership with institutions including the Italian Ministry of the Interior, Fondazione Med-Or, the National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN), and LUISS University.

The exchanges covered topics including Italy’s strategic engagement in Africa within the framework of the Piano Mattei, democratic governance and institutional resilience, electoral operations and coordination, technology and innovation in elections, transparency and digital accessibility, as well as disinformation, AI-generated content, and cybersecurity threats affecting electoral integrity. Participants also explored technological tools used in electoral administration, including electronic voting systems and Italy’s Eligendo platform for the collection and dissemination of electoral results.

ECES, together with the AAEA and the African Union Commission, expressed its sincere appreciation to the Italian authorities and institutions whose expertise and contributions made the mission possible, contributing to a valuable exchange of comparative practices between Italian institutions and Electoral Management Bodies from across Africa.

The Executive Peer Learning Mission marked an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation and peer exchange between African Electoral Management Bodies, Italian institutions, and international partners on the evolving challenges and opportunities affecting electoral integrity and democratic governance in the digital era.