ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Giorgia Meloni has pledged deeper cooperation between Italy and African nations, focusing on investment-driven partnerships and tackling the root causes of migration during the second Italy-Africa Summit — the first edition to be held on African soil.
Speaking alongside dozens of African leaders, Meloni emphasized that Italy has “no interest in exploiting migration to obtain cheap labour,” stressing instead the need to create opportunities within African countries so young people can build their futures at home.
The Mattei Plan: From Aid to Investment
Central to Italy’s renewed Africa strategy is the Mattei Plan, launched in 2024. The initiative shifts Rome’s approach from traditional development aid to structured, long-term investment partnerships.
Currently, the plan includes nearly 100 projects across 14 African countries, targeting key sectors such as:
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Agriculture
- Digital innovation
The strategy aims to stimulate job creation and sustainable economic growth — seen by Italy as a practical solution to curbing irregular migration flows toward Europe.
Ethiopia’s Strategic Role
The summit, co-hosted with the African Union, highlights Addis Ababa’s standing as Africa’s diplomatic capital.
Abiy Ahmed positioned Ethiopia as a strategic bridge between Africa and Europe, pointing to strengthening bilateral ties with Italy following several high-level meetings with Meloni in recent months.
The gathering marks a significant step in Rome’s broader geopolitical strategy — one that seeks to redefine Europe-Africa relations through economic cooperation rather than emergency migration management.
