Italy Pledges Deeper Economic and Security Partnership With African States

Italy has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding cooperation with African nations at the second Italy-Africa Summit, marking the first time the gathering was held on African soil.

The summit took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met dozens of African heads of state and government to review progress under the Mattei Plan for Africa — Rome’s flagship initiative launched in 2024.

Focus on Investment, Not Aid

The Mattei Plan seeks to shift Italy’s engagement with Africa from traditional aid-based models to investment-driven partnerships. The initiative prioritises sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, climate transition, healthcare and digital development.

Addressing leaders in Addis Ababa, Meloni emphasised that cooperation must be built on mutual respect and shared priorities.

“We want to build things together,” she said, adding that Italy aims to align more closely with the needs of African countries and draw from “African wisdom” to ensure long-term success.

African Leaders Call for Action

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the initiative, describing Italy’s approach as a bridge between Africa and Europe.

“This is a moment to move from dialogue to action,” he said, highlighting the potential of combining Africa’s youthful population with Europe’s capital, technology and experience to generate shared prosperity.

Following the Italy-Africa Summit, leaders remained in Addis Ababa for the annual African Union Summit, underscoring the city’s role as a diplomatic hub for the continent.

Scrutiny Over Impact

Observers say the effectiveness of such summits will depend on implementation rather than rhetoric. Kenyan writer and political analyst Nanjala Nyabola noted that outcomes hinge on how well African governments prepare and articulate their priorities.

She argued that countries should focus less on optics and more on clearly mapping national needs and negotiating concrete deliverables.

Expanding Footprint

According to the Italian government, the Mattei Plan has so far engaged 14 African countries and advanced nearly 100 projects across critical sectors, including energy transition, food security, water management, digital infrastructure, education and artificial intelligence.

As Italy deepens its engagement, the coming months will test whether the initiative translates into measurable economic gains and long-term partnerships for both sides.