Minister, Giorgia Meloni introduced the Mattei plan as a solution to two major problems faced by Italy in recent times; illegal immigration and consistent source of energy. This plan which depends on partnerships with Africannations, was revealed at the Italy-Africa summit in Romewhere the leaders and representatives of more than two dozen African countries from the United Nations, European Union, and the World Bank were present.
THE MATTEI PLAN
This plan named after Enrico Mattei, founder of ENI (Italy’s national energy company) is driven by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s goal for Italy to be the central hub transporting natural energy throughout Europe from Africa. This isfollowing the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, which laid to bare Europe’s dependency on Russia’s gas. The strategic plan involves decreasing that dependency and ensuring a consistent energy supply by turning to Africa where fossil fuels are surplus.
The plan involves large scale investments in Africa, starting from North Africa to the South Saharan quadrant. Thisinvestment with an initial funding 5.5 billion euros, will not be focused on only energy but also education, health, agriculture and water interventions.
The energy investments are presented as motivation for these countries to be willing to collaborate, in a manner which she describes as “non-predatory, non-paternalistic, but also not charitable.” Prime Minister Meloni also said the Italy Government would garner support for financing thedevelopment plan from private businesses and global organizations like the European Union.
REASONS FOR THE MATTEI PLAN
One of Prime Minister Meloni’s promise before being elected was to reduce illegal migration. With this plan, she aims to address the primary causes of migration and tackle human traffickers by creating work opportunities, trainings and legal routes for migration in African nations. Meloni also stated that to prevent young Africans from moving out of their countries, investments should be made in the industrial and agricultural sectors in Africa by Europe to improve the local economies.
According to Prime Minister Meloni, Italy’s future depends also on the future of the African continent hence this initiative that has the ability to develop the African continent using its abundance of resources, was established.
ENI, the major energy supplier in Italy, has started getting gas from Africa since supplies from Russia has reduced. The business also stated that for now, Italy key gas suppliers will be Algeria, Egypt, and Libya.
RESPONSES FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCED PLAN
Following the conclusion of the Italy-Africa Summit, there were doubts about the capability of Meloni’s offer ofapproximately $6 billion as when compared to the European Union’s 2022 offer of $160 billion. The reception of African nations to this investment is also still uncertain. The success of the plan depends on how it is received by the African nations and the plan’s ability to provide an effective answer to the complex problems being faced. Some also claim that with Italy’s pending debt, the country has a slimmer chance of competing with other countries like China, Russia, and the Gulf states. These countries are also trying to increase their impact in Africa. There are also some suggesting investments into green energy and not a focus on fossil fuels.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission said at the summit that Africa should have been consulted initially on priorities and emphasized the necessity of fulfilling commitments. “I want to insist here on the need to move from words to actions. You can well understand that we can no longer be satisfied with mere promises that are often not kept,” he said, standing with Meloni at the summit in Italy.
NGOs and civil society groups also felt that efforts should have been made to include local governments and communities while planning the investments and mentioned that there was nothing put in place for assurance and prevent being taken advantage of or theft of natural resources that has been a characteristic of past partnerships.
An agreement has however been formed between Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and the President of the African Development Bank Group Dr Akinwumi Adesina to increase the alliance between Italy and Africa. Dr Akinwumi Adesina said the African Development Bank is willing to collaborate with the Italian government because “the Mattei Plan aligns with the priorities of the Bank,” known as the High 5s.
The High 5s are to Light up and Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa
CONCLUSION
As Giorgia Meloni calls for a collaboration with Africa, the Mattei plan is her transformational proposal to improve economic relations, create an energy hub for Europe, and decrease immigration.
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