Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, recently disclosed a comprehensive investment plan totaling €5.5 billion ($5.9 billion) to fortify Italy’s relations with Africa. The initiative, announced during a gathering where around 25 African heads of state and government were welcomed, seeks to enhance energy connections and mitigate mass migration patterns.
Meloni’s overarching objective is to position Rome as a significant political and economic intermediary between the European Union and Africa.
The plan, detailed by the prime minister, encompasses key sectors such as energy, education, professional training, healthcare, agriculture, and water.
In her own words, Meloni stated, “Mass illegal immigration will never be stopped, traffickers in human lives will never be defeated if we don’t tackle the causes which push someone to abandon their own home.”
She highlighted the dual strategy of combating human traffickers while simultaneously offering African peoples alternatives through opportunities, work, training, and legal migration.
The funding structure of the plan is outlined in the details provided by Meloni. The initial phase will include approximately €3 billion sourced from Italy’s climate fund and an additional €2.5 billion from development resources, comprising loans, grants, and guarantees.
Meloni also expressed her administration’s intent to engage international financial institutions and other donor nations. By the end of the year, there are plans to establish “a new financial instrument” in collaboration with the state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti. This instrument aims to facilitate private sector investment within the broader project.
Meloni concluded by emphasizing collaboration with international partners, stating, “This initiative is not just Italian; it is meant to be European, with the intent to involve all the main European countries.”
The prime minister is working towards a comprehensive strategy to address the root causes of migration and create sustainable opportunities for African nations.
