“The Mattei Plan is no longer an idea but an operational reality that is already producing concrete results,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her address to the European Parliament.
According to Meloni, 14 African nations are currently involved, with over €1 billion in Italian funding already allocated — in synergy with the EU’s Global Gateway, which mobilizes over €1.2 billion. Among the plan’s flagship projects are the Lobito Corridor, the coffee value chain initiative, the Blue Raman undersea cable expansion, and the AI Hub for Sustainable Development based in Rome.
Meloni emphasized that “investing in Africa’s future means investing in Europe’s own”, reaffirming Italy’s role as a bridge between the two continents, driven by business expertise and a longstanding culture of dialogue.
Citing Enrico Mattei as an inspiration, the Prime Minister described her government’s approach as one of “pragmatic patriotism” — aimed at building genuine partnerships. She added that the next EU–AU Summit in Angola will provide an opportunity to “synchronize the strategic agendas of both continents.”