Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni opened the Italy–Africa Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, alongside Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali aimed at redefining relations between Italy, Europe and Africa. This is the first time that the summit took place in Africa.
The Italian leader hailed the progress of Italy’s Mattei Plan, describing it not merely as an investment framework but as a long-term partnership between sovereign nations. She stressed that Italy was not seeking to import low-skilled labour from Africa to Europe, but rather to address the economic and social conditions that compel young Africans to migrate. Meloni added that Italy’s approach rejects paternalism and is instead based on mutual respect, shared interests and joint development.
The Mattei Plan, named after former Italian energy executive Enrico Mattei, focuses on cooperation in energy, agriculture, water management, education and infrastructure. Italy has committed up to €5.5 billion to the initiative, with funding directed towards renewable energy projects, vocational training programmes and food security schemes across the continent.
Italian officials presented the plan as a strategic alternative to both traditional aid models and debt-driven development. According to Meloni, the objective is to create economic opportunities in Africa while also strengthening Europe’s energy security and trade links.
In his opening address, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the summit as “a turning point in Africa–Europe relations”, arguing that the continent must be treated as an equal partner rather than a recipient of aid. He said Africa’s future lay in industrialisation, innovation and education, and called on European partners to invest in infrastructure, energy and skills rather than short-term assistance. Premier Abiy underlined that sustainable development was the best guarantee against instability, poverty and forced migration.
The summit brought together representatives from more than 40 countries, including heads of government, foreign ministers and senior officials from across Africa and Europe. Major participants included delegations from Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana and South Africa, as well as European representatives from France, Germany, Spain and the European Union institutions.
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