From Rome, a new momentum for Europe-Africa ties

Italy and the EU recently held a high-level event in Rome to enhance cooperation with African nations, aligning Italy’s Mattei Plan with the EU’s Global Gateway. The gathering, attended by over 400 senior officials and private sector leaders, emphasised tailored partnerships in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure. By coordinating strategies with initiatives like the US-backed PGII, the event showcased a unified, values-based alternative aimed at countering global competition for influence in Africa

The meeting. On Thursday, Italy and the European Union convened a high-level event in Rome to strengthen collaboration with African nations.

The meeting spotlighted two complementary initiatives: Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa and the EU’s Global Gateway.
The event aimed to align Rome and Brussels’ efforts in offering tailored partnerships that address Africa’s specific needs, positioning the continent as a central partner in Europe’s economic and geopolitical future.

Setting the scene. The CEO-level gathering drew over 400 participants, including senior officials from Italy, the EU, African governments, the United States, private sector leaders, and international organisations.

Discussions centred on key sectors where the Mattei Plan and Global Gateway intersect, such as energy, physical and digital infrastructure, and even coffee supply chains.

Common synergies. The Mattei Plan serves as Italy’s strategic blueprint for fostering cooperation and investment in Africa through joint planning and rapid-impact projects in health, education, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the EU’s Global Gateway aims to drive sustainable development and open new trade routes for European companies.
Both initiatives increasingly converge, emphasising co-ownership, private sector engagement, and long-term resilience across shared priority areas.
They also align with the US-backed Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), launched at the G7 to counterbalance global infrastructure gaps.

Driving the competition. The event highlighted how the “Sistema Italia” and “Team Europe” approaches can deliver high-quality European solutions, laying the groundwork for deeper, long-term cooperation with African partners.

By coordinating these strategies, Italy, the EU, and the G7 seek a unified, values-based alternative to other global players vying for influence in Africa, grounded in sustainability, transparency, and mutual benefit.

What we’re watching. As global competition for influence in Africa intensifies, Italy and the EU are moving in lockstep to present a strategic partnership based on a common model.