Amazon strengthens its presence in the South and launches Amazon Destinazione Sud, a plan that combines investments in renewable energy, support for small and medium-sized businesses and digital training. The initiative is a further step by the group to consolidate its role in the economic development of Southern Italy, a territory that the tech giant considers increasingly central.
What the plan consists of
Amazon Destinazione Sud plans new investments in renewable energy in Sicily. On the island, the company has already contributed to the development of seven solar projects, of which four will start in 2025. Added to these are three plants already operational. These include two agrivoltaic parks in Mazara del Vallo and Paternò, which integrate energy production with agricultural activity. Overall, in Italy Amazon supported eight industrial-scale energy projects and installed photovoltaic systems in 32 logistics sites, for a total of 40 initiatives.
The goal is to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2040, in line with the group’s global commitments.
500 euro bonus for companies
Alongside the energy transition, Amazon is firmly focusing on strengthening the entrepreneurial fabric of the South. The plan provides economic incentives for SMEs in the South that intend to sell online, including a credit of up to 500 euros on referral commissions reserved for new sales partners active in the eight southern regions:
- Abruzzo;
- Molise;
- Campania;
- Puglia;
- Basilicata;
- Calabria;
- Sicily;
- Sardinia.
Access is reserved for companies with registered trademarks and products included in the Made in Italy showcase.
There are currently over 2,000 companies from the South that export through Amazon, contributing to the spread of local excellence on international markets. The initiative aims to further broaden this base, facilitating entry into digital commerce and increasing the competitiveness of southern companies.
Upcoming training programs
Training is also important for the tech giant. Amazon continues to invest in digital skills development and artificial intelligence, collaborating with regional bodies, universities and partners such as ICE, Develhope and Code.org.
The training programs in Southern Italy are already active; in 2025 they involved over 300 teachers and 50,000 students. These are also supported by the Amazon Women in Innovation scholarships, which supported young female talents in STEM disciplines at the universities of Naples Federico II, Catania, Palermo and Cagliari. The activities will continue in 2026, with new scholarships and in-person training sessions.
Plans in logistics
On the logistics front, the expansion of the collection point network continues. Already made up of thousands of locations including tobacconists, newsagents, local shops and service stations, the aim is to guarantee increasingly widespread coverage, even in small and medium-sized centres.
The organization of the Prime Day Festival, scheduled from 19 to 21 June in Palermo, in the setting of the Foro Italico at the Nauto, also contributes to strengthening the bond with the territory.
The event will be free and open to the public and will offer a space dedicated to Prime offers and the excellence of Sicilian SMEs present on the platform. An opportunity for companies in the South to show themselves and show that combining digital commerce and valorisation of the territory is possible.
