Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Addis Ababa on Friday to attend the second Italy-Africa Summit the first to be hosted on African soil. The gathering underscores Rome’s strategic shift toward investment-driven partnerships with the continent under its Mattei Plan.
Italy’s Commitment Beyond Migration
Addressing dozens of African leaders, Meloni emphasized that Italy has “no interest in exploiting migration to obtain cheap labour” for its industries. Instead, she pledged to tackle the root causes that push young Africans to leave their countries, aiming to strengthen opportunities for them to contribute to national development.
The Mattei Plan: From Aid to Investment
Launched in 2024, the Mattei Plan marks a departure from traditional aid models, focusing instead on investment-led cooperation. With nearly 100 projects underway across 14 African nations, the initiative targets key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital development. The goal is to generate sustainable economic opportunities while curbing irregular migration.
Ethiopia’s Role as Diplomatic Bridge
Co-hosted alongside the African Union Summit, the forum highlights Addis Ababa’s status as Africa’s diplomatic capital. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed positioned his country as a bridge for Africa-Europe collaboration, reinforcing bilateral ties through repeated high-level engagements with Meloni in recent months.
