Rome Summit: Italy Unveils Africa Development Plan Amid Cautious Response

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni inaugurated a summit with African leaders in Rome on Monday, showcasing Italy’s extensive development initiative for Africa. The plan, aimed at curbing migration, diversifying energy sources, and forging a new Europe-Africa relationship, however, received a reserved initial reception.

African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, addressing the summit, expressed a preference for prior consultation with African nations before the unveiling of Italy’s strategy. Emphasizing action over words, Faki, Chad’s ex-prime minister, lamented the unfulfilled promises often made to Africa.

The summit, marking Italy’s first major event as the Group of Seven president, saw the attendance of two dozen African leaders, top EU and UN officials, and representatives from global financial bodies. Italy, a key player in Europe’s migration debate, pitches this development plan as a means to foster security and economic opportunities in Africa, potentially reducing risky Mediterranean migrations.

Meloni, Italy’s first post-WWII far-right leader, highlighted in her opening address various pilot projects across Africa. These projects are designed to enhance Africa as a major energy exporter to Europe, decreasing reliance on Russian energy amidst the Ukraine conflict. She stressed Europe’s focus on the right to emigrate, overshadowing the right to not be forced to leave one’s homeland.

Despite Meloni’s migration reduction efforts, Italy witnessed a significant increase in arrivals last year, totaling around 160,000. The government’s strategy, named after Enrico Mattei, founder of the state-controlled energy giant Eni, extends beyond energy cooperation, encompassing education, healthcare, water, sanitation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Meloni emphasized a partnership of equals, avoiding both predatory and patronizing approaches, recognizing Africa’s immense developmental potential. This approach reflects a shift from Italy’s colonial past in North Africa to fostering equitable cooperation.

The summit involved presentations by Italian ministers on different aspects of the plan and was preceded by a gala dinner hosted by President Sergio Mattarella. Concurrently, opposition and green lawmakers in Italy criticized the Mattei Plan as a neo-colonial scheme to exploit Africa’s resources, underscoring the complexity of Italy’s intentions and the diverse reactions it has provoked.

Complementing the Mattei Plan, Meloni’s government has also brokered deals with individual countries to manage the migration influx, including an EU-backed agreement with Tunisia focusing on economic development and legal migration opportunities, and a bilateral agreement with Albania for processing Italy-bound asylum applications.

The Rome summit represents a critical test for Italy’s commitment to enhancing its relationship with Africa, balancing regional and global interests.

GO+ Agencies