Italy's Mattei Plan: A New Era of Cooperation with Africa

Premier Giorgia Meloni addressed the second ItalyAfrica Summit in Addis Ababa on Friday, emphasizing that Italy's Mattei Plan signifies a transformative chapter in relationships with African nations. Co-chairing the event alongside Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, Meloni highlighted the participation of 14 countries involved in this ambitious initiative, along with notable figures including leaders from the African Union and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Reflecting on a prior meeting in Rome two years ago, Meloni noted the commitment made to foster a new historical narrative in relations between Italy and Africa. She declared, "We made a very ambitious commitment to write a new chapter in the history of our relations to build a model of cooperation based on trust and mutual respect — a cooperation between equals far from any predatory temptation and the paternalistic approach that has long distorted relations between Africa, Europe, and the West." Meloni further asserted that the Mattei Plan has evolved beyond a mere Italian strategy, transforming into a collaborative effort of international significance. This shift aims to showcase the extraordinary potentials and diverse qualities of African people that have often remained unrecognized in previous diplomatic engagements. The summit serves as a platform not only to reinforce alliances but also to reshape perceptions, facilitating a future rooted in mutual benefit and understanding. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2