Italy, Africa seek to lay foundation for socioeconomic partnership through ‘financial, policy tools’

African leaders gathered at a Rome summit on Monday to hear Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s much-hyped plan for the continent, aimed at transforming Italy into an energy hub — and stopping migration. Far-right leader Meloni, who came to power in 2022 on an anti-migrant ticket, has vowed to reshape relations with African countries by taking a “non-predatory” approach inspired by Enrico Mattei, founder of Italy’s state-owned energy giant Eni. The so-called Mattei Plan hopes to position Italy as a key bridge between Africa and Europe, funnelling energy north while exchanging investment in the south for deals aimed at curbing migrant departures across the Mediterranean Sea. Meloni said the plan would initially be funded to the tune of 5.5 billion euros ($5.9 billion), some of which would be loans, with investments focused on energy, agriculture, water, health and education. Representatives of over 25 countries attended the summit on Monday at the Italian senate — dubbed “A bridge for common growth” — along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and representatives of United Nations agencies and the World Bank. For more on the African Summit, FRANCE 24’s Jean-Emile Jammine is joined by Dr. Maddalena Procopio, Senior policy fellow Africa at ECFR and Associate Research Fellow for the Africa Programme at ISPI.