(3 Minutes Read)
Italian premiere, Giorgia Meloni, unveiled a “non-predatory” approach aimed at fostering cooperation. The plan was titled as “Mattei Plan”, after Enrico Mattei, an Italian public administrator who way back in the 1950s advocated for Italy to support North African governments to grow their economies and develop their natural resources.
The Italian government will hold the Africa summit on the 28th and 29th of January in Rome. Over 50 delegations, mainly from African countries, as well as EU leaders and representatives of international organizations, will arrive in the Italian capital for the occasion. The conference will review Italy’s strategic plan and the country’s approach to the African continent.
Italian premiere, Giorgia Meloni, unveiled a “non-predatory” approach aimed at fostering cooperation. The plan was titled as “Mattei Plan”, after Enrico Mattei, an Italian public administrator who way back in the 1950s advocated for Italy to support North African governments to grow their economies and develop their natural resources.
The plan is due to cost around 3 million euros a year and has a four-year duration. The goal is to enhance energy cooperation with African countries and help them in different areas including health, education, and several other sectors. Its main purpose is to address the root economic causes of mass migration from Africa. Some critics have argued it lacks a clear strategy.
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Meloni, who assumed office in 2022 with an anti-migrant platform, seeks to position Italy as a crucial link between Africa and Europe. Italy very much depends on Africa. Around 40% of its gas comes from African producers, and this number is only set to rise. As part of its G7 presidency this year, Italy aims to make African development a central theme to enhance its influence on a continent where global powers like China, Russia, and India have been expanding their political sway.
