Umberto Tavolato, Senior Advisor at EMIR, is a distinguished authority on Africa and its interconnections with the Middle East and Europe. Internationally renowned for his expertise in sub-Saharan Africa, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden regions, he brings over 20 years of exemplary experience in diplomacy and advisory services across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Umberto provides invaluable guidance to clients seeking to navigate Africa’s dynamic markets, enabling them to make well-informed decisions, formulate robust strategies, and cultivate partnerships that fortify their investments.
Since 2021, Umberto has led a team of seasoned experts dedicated to supporting investors, multilateral organisations, non-profits, and governments across sub-Saharan Africa. He has also served as a Special Adviser to the Med-Or Leonardo Foundation since the same year. This Italian non-profit organisation focuses on enhancing relations between Italy, Europe, and the broader Mediterranean region, with Umberto spearheading its international initiatives.
His extensive background includes advisory roles at prestigious institutions. Notably, he advised the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2020 and served as an adviser to the Deputy Secretary-General of the EU Foreign Service from 2016 to 2017. From 2004 to 2016, he held pivotal positions as a political adviser to EU Special Representatives in Sudan (2004-2008), the African Union (2008-2012), and the Horn of Africa (2012-2016). Additionally, Umberto has contributed his expertise to renowned think tanks such as the European Council for Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Conflict Management Initiative (CMI), the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), and African organisations like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).