By Abdi Ali
Published January 31, 2024
Italy has during the Italy-Africa Summit in Rome unveiled a US$6 Billion plan to support African development.
“We believe it is possible to envision and write a new chapter in the history of our relationship, a cooperation among equals, far from any predatory imposition or charitable stance towards Africa. There is a natural inclination for Italy to be a bridge between Africa and Europe. The whole world cannot think about the future without Africa,” Georgia Meloni, Italian Prime Minister, said during the single day event on January 29, 2024.
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Moussa Faki, Chairperson of African Union Commission, welcomed the pledged support, noting that the plan aligns with Africa’s priorities.
Calling for a united front in cracking down on people smugglers, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “The best way to do this is to join forces and crack down on the criminals, and in parallel, build alternatives to the deadly smuggling routes.”
On her part, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said: “When Africa prospers, Europe prospers and the whole world can.”
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Among the African leaders who addressed the meeting were Presidents William Ruto of Kenya, Azali Assoumani of Comoros, Macky Sall of Senegal, Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, Kais Saied of Tunisia, Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea; and Prime Ministers Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia and Ulisses Correa e Silva of Cabo Verde.
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Akinwumi A Adesina, President of African Development Bank, commended the Italian government for the Rome Process Financing Facility, which will provide €100 million towards support for infrastructure in Africa, especially for renewable energy, energy efficiency projects, water and sanitation, and agriculture initiatives, as well as vocational training and job creation. He welcomed Italy’s ‘Mattei Plan for Africa,’ which he acknowledged had prioritised energy security.
Dr Adesina also addressed the challenge of illegal migration from African countries, stressing that it was critical to continue to support economic growth and development of African nations, reduce fragility and build resilience.
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