ITALIAN Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and African Development Bank Group AfDB) President Dr Akinwumi Adesina have united to reinforce the alliance between Italy and Africa following a bilateral meeting in Rome. The meeting took place a day after the Italy-Africa summit, attended by over 25 African heads of state, representatives from the African Union, European Union, United Nations, and various international financial institutions.
Prime Minister Meloni, unveiling the nearly $6bn Mattei Plan during the summit, emphasised its role in bolstering economic links and creating an energy hub for Europe while addressing the issue of African emigration. Meloni expressed her vision, saying, ‘The Mattei Plan is not just about economic collaboration; it’s a commitment to sustainable development, a shared future for Italy and Africa.’
In a statement after the summit, Meloni highlighted the plan’s core sectors, stating, ‘The Mattei Plan covers five critical sectors: education and training, health, energy, water, and agriculture. Our primary focus is on agriculture, recognizing its pivotal role in the plan’s success.’
Adesina, appreciating Italy’s support for the African Development Bank, stated during the meeting, ‘The Mattei Plan fits into the priorities of the Bank, known as the High 5s. You can count on the African Development Bank as your partner of choice.’ He reiterated the bank’s readiness to collaborate with the Italian government and expressed gratitude for Italy’s steadfast support.
Adesina added, ‘This plan aligns with the High 5s, our strategic priorities focusing on power, food, industrialisation, integration, and improving the quality of life for the people of Africa.’
Adesina briefed Meloni on the African Development Bank’s transformative initiatives, emphasising the success of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) programme. Adesina stated, ‘TAAT has empowered over 13 million farmers, enabling Ethiopia, which used to import wheat, to become self-sufficient and a net exporter of the product.’
Highlighting the impact of the Dakar 2 Food Summit, Adesina noted, ‘The summit mobilised $72bn to implement food and agricultural delivery compacts in over 41 African countries.’ He emphasised the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Banks programme and the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) program, backed by G7 nations.
Adesina invited Meloni to champion the African Development Bank-led effort to provide clean cooking equipment to 250 million women in Africa by 2030. He stressed the need for governments to allocate at least 5 percent of the current $70bn energy investments annually into clean cooking solutions.
In response, Meloni expressed her commitment to collaboration, saying, “As Italy advances its Mattei Plan during our G7 Presidency, we will work with you on food security, clean cooking energy, and other initiatives.” She acknowledged the importance of such collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable development goals.
Addressing the Association for the Development of Italian Companies in Africa, Adesina spoke passionately about Africa’s potential for investors. “Africa offers compelling opportunities; it will determine the future of the world,” he stated. Adesina urged potential investors to look beyond current global economic challenges, pointing out that six of the 10 fastest-growing economies are in Africa.
Providing figures, Adesina noted, “Africa has the fastest-growing middle class, offering an immense market, with consumer and business spending projected to reach US$7 trillion by 2030.” He emphasized the significant advantage for Italian firms looking to do business in Africa and encouraged exploration of the vast opportunities on the continent.
At a separate event, the Italian Climate Fund pledged over $40 million to the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA), signaling strong support for transformative climate-aligned infrastructure projects across the continent.
The strategic alliance between Italy and Africa, as facilitated by Prime Minister Meloni and President Adesina, marks a significant step towards fostering economic growth, sustainability, and collaboration between the two regions. As both leaders envision a shared future, their commitment paves the way for impactful initiatives that address key challenges and propel sustainable development in Africa.