Italy Aims for Strategic Shift in Africa Engagement at Second Summit. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — 2026-02-14 Lead Paragraph: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has arrived in Addis Ababa for the second Italy-Africa Summit, signaling Rome’s strategic shift towards investment-led cooperation with the continent.
The summit, held on African soil for the first time, underscores Italy’s commitment to the Mattei Plan, which seeks to foster economic opportunities in Africa to reduce irregular migration.
The Mattei Plan, introduced in 2024, marks a departure from traditional aid, focusing instead on investment and partnership. With nearly 100 projects across 14 African nations, the initiative targets sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital development, aiming to create jobs and opportunities that encourage African youth to remain in their home countries. Meloni emphasized Italy’s stance on migration, declaring, “We have no interest in exploiting migration to obtain cheap labor for our production systems.”.
Instead, she committed to addressing the root causes of migration, such as lack of economic opportunities and instability, to ensure that young Africans can contribute to their nations’development.
The summit, co — hosted alongside the African Union (AU) Summit, highlights Addis Ababa’s role as Africa’s diplomatic hub. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has positioned his country as a bridge for Africa-Europe collaboration, emphasizing the importance of bilateral ties through high-level engagements with Meloni.
The summit also addresses broader challenges such as climate change, health emergencies, peace, security, economic growth, and geopolitical landscapes. Italy’s policy objectives align with the European Union’s (EU) attempts to improve its relationship with Mediterranean countries, reflecting interconnected futures.
The summit’s outcomes are expected to provide a clearer direction for Italy’s engagement with Africa.
Further details on the progress of the Mattei Plan and its impact on migration and development are anticipated as the summit concludes.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 4*
