The Italian government revealed a new approach to dealing with African countries referred to as the Mattei Plan as the purpose of the 2-day conference held in the country.
Georgio Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister hosting the African Heads of State, termed the approach as “non-predatory” which is aimed at building cooperation between Africa and Italy.
According to Italy, the country aims to apply a bottom-up approach that does not force any of the member states to take up the plan.
Notably, the plan is similar to the President’s bottom-up agenda that he has been keen on implementing since he came into power.
On Sunday, January 28 the Kenyan President flew out of the country to join more than 20 African Heads of State in the summit.
Further, the Italian government stated that they would launch a fund worth Ksh530 million (3 Million Euros) a year, running for four years aimed at supporting African countries in various sectors.
“The plan is due to cost around 3 million euros a year and has a four-year duration. The goal is to enhance energy cooperation with African countries and help them in different areas including health, education, and other several other sectors, but its main purpose is to address the root economic causes of mass migration from Africa”, stated the Italian government
According to Italy, the country is keen on maintaining relationships with Africa citing that it is heavily reliant on Africa’s production of gas as it consumes around 40 per cent of gas from African countries.
“If we want to work on a strategy that brings African and European interests together, one example is energy, because Africa is potentially a huge energy producer and Europe has an energy supply problem,” emphasised the Italian prime minister.
Additionally, Italy aims to utilise its G7 presidency this year, to make African development a priority as a means to enhance its influence on a continent where Asian global powers like China, and India have been expanding their political sway.
However, Kenya is also keen on pushing its agenda in the summit with the president aiming to meet the Italian Prime minister to review agendas set in previous meetings.
Earlier on, the President had also remarked that he would seek funding for stalled dam projects in the country.
