Italy unveils strategic plan for Africa

ITALIAN Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni yesterday unveiled a strategic plan of cooperation with Africa aimed at boosting economic ties in several sectors for the benefit of both Europe and the Africa.

Prime Minister Meloni outlined the vision yesterday at the Italy-Africa summit which President Mnangagwa and other world leaders attended yesterday.

Addressing leaders from both Europe and the African continent, Prime Minister Melon outlined a series of initiatives, pledging an initial 5,5 billion euros (US$5,95bn), including state guarantees.

The inaugural summit, which over the years has been held at ministerial level is being held under the theme, “A bridge for common growth”.

This come as African leaders attending the summit called for genuine partnership between the two sides that is mutually beneficial, based on respect of each other’s choices without imposing one’s wish on the other.

In her official opening address, PM Meloni unveiled her country’s plan for the development of the African continent which she hoped would stimulate growth and stop illegal migration to Europe.

She revealed a series of pilot projects in individual countries that she said would enable Africa to become a major exporter of energy, among other sectors.

Other areas of cooperation were in education, technology, research and agriculture.

Prime Minister Meloni said Africa was not poor given that it was endowed with minerals, had 60 percent of arable land and huge human capital

“We want to free up African energy to guarantee younger generations a right which to date has been denied,” Prime Minister Meloni said.

“Because here in Europe, we talk a lot about the right to emigrate, but we rarely talk about guaranteeing the right not to be forced to emigrate.”

According to Mrs Meloni, her country’s plan for Africa’s development will create jobs on the continent and discourage young people from leaving and attempting dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.

The plan, named after founder of state-controlled gas giant Eni Enrico Mattei, involves pilot projects in areas such as health care, water, sanitation, agriculture and infrastructure.

“It’s a cooperation of equals, far from any predatory temptation, but also far from the charitable posture with Africa that rarely is reconciled with its extraordinary potential for development,” she said.

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