In a videomessage at the event “Mattei Plan for Africa and Global Gateway: a new model for Europe-Africa relations”, organised by Fratelli d’Italia at the European Parliament, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni framed Africa’s development as a shared priority for Europe’s future.
An International strategy. “The Mattei Plan is no longer just an Italian initiative but a European and international strategy that looks ahead and is gaining increasing support,” Meloni said in her video address to the conference.
- She stressed that investing in Africa’s future means investing in Europe’s own future:
- “We are convinced that investing in Africa means investing in Europe’s future. We are doing so through a method that has become a European-level benchmark.”
Bridging continents. Meloni reaffirmed Italy’s role as a connector between the two shores of the Mediterranean: “Italy will continue to be a bridge between Europe and Africa, offering the expertise of its companies, the strength of its institutions, and its great tradition of dialogue.”
- She added that the future of both continents depends on mutual respect and cooperation: “The future of Europe depends on a more stable, secure, and prosperous Africa — and the future of Africa depends on a Europe capable of listening, investing, and building together with humility and respect.”
By the numbers: According to Meloni, the Mattei Plan is already delivering tangible results:
- 14 African nations are directly involved
- Over €1 billion committed by Italy to projects across Africa
- Sinergy with the EU’s Global Gateway is worth more than €1.2 billion
Key projects include:
- The Lobito Infrastructure Corridor, connecting West and East Africa via Angola, the DRC, and Zambia
- The coffee production value chains in several African countries
- The Blue Raman digital cable, linking India to Europe through East Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean
- The AI Hub for Sustainable Development in Rome, involving hundreds of African start-ups using AI to advance key sectors
The big picture: Meloni invoked Enrico Mattei’s vision of “pragmatic patriotism” as the inspiration behind Italy’s approach, aiming to combine national interest with international cooperation.
- “This is a historic challenge in which, I am sure, the European Parliament will play a leading role,” she concluded.
