Rabat – On Monday, Morocco, represented by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, participated in the Italy-Africa Summit that took place in Rome. The country was one of over 50 African countries to participate.
The summit’s agenda covered a variety of themes, including economic and infrastructural development, professional training, cultural promotion, migration, counterterrorism, as well as food and energy security.
In his opening remarks, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni set the tone for the summit, emphasizing Africa’s vast potential, both in terms of natural and human resources.
In an announcement, she unveiled a €5.5 billion strategic partnership program with African nations, designed to tackle the root causes of irregular migration and transform Italy into an energy hub connecting the African continent and the European Union.
“Our plan can count on €5.5 billion through loans, grants, and guarantees, with approximately €3 billion coming from the Italian Climate Fund and €2.5 billion from the Development Cooperation Fund,” she declared during the opening of the inaugural Italy-Africa Summit in Rome.
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, reaffirmed Italy’s unwavering commitment to supporting Africa’s development. He outlined key sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy, infrastructure, and digital innovation, as focal points for Italian-African collaboration.
The President of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, expressed gratitude for Italy’s support during the Covid-19 pandemic and voiced optimism about Italy’s role as the President of the G7 in 2024, anticipating a substantial contribution to Africa’s development.
A significant highlight of the summit is the introduction of the “Mattei Plan,” named after Enrico Mattei, founder of the Italian public energy giant Eni.
The plan, lauded by Prime Minister Meloni, is dedicated to strengthening economic and social partnerships between Italy and Africa, steering away from a paternalistic approach to fostering strategic, equal partnerships.
The summit provides a platform for Italy and African nations to strengthen their relationship, focusing on key pillars.
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