Vantage | Why Italy's PM is banking on Africa to solve her two big problems

In the heart of Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is confronting two critical challenges that demand immediate attention—stemming the tide of illegal immigration and ensuring a consistent energy supply. To address these issues, Meloni has unveiled a strategic plan that hinges on collaboration with African nations, emphasizing mutual benefits and non-predatory engagement.

The Mattei Plan At the Italy-Africa Summit held in Rome, leaders from approximately 25 African nations, along with representatives from the United Nations, European Union, and the World Bank, gathered at the historic Senate building to discuss Prime Minister Meloni’s ambitious initiative—the Mattei Plan. Named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of Italy’s state-owned energy company, ENI, the plan outlines extensive investments in Africa, beginning with North Africa and the South Saharan quadrant. Meloni envisions Italy as the natural energy supply hub for the entirety of Europe, a vision motivated by Europe’s vulnerability exposed during Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The plan aims to secure Europe’s energy supplies by turning to Africa where fossil fuels are abundant. While the specific energy sources remain undisclosed, the irony lies in the funding—approximately $3.3 billion from the Italian Climate Fund, out of a total allocation of around $6 billion under the Mattei Plan. “Our future inevitably depends also on the future of the African continent…. That’s why we have decided to launch an ambitious program of interventions that is capable of helping the continent grow and prosper starting from its immense resources. All this is the backbone of the Italian strategic project that we call the Mattei Plan for Africa,” said Prime Minister Meloni. Holistic approach The Mattei Plan extends beyond energy projects, allocating funds for education, training, health, agriculture and water initiatives. However, these funds come with a condition—Prime Minister Meloni, elected on a promise to reduce illegal migration, intends to use the plan to tackle the root causes of migration. She plans to address these issues at their source, combatting human traffickers while offering African nations opportunities for work, training and legal migration paths. Anti-migration tactics Already training coast guards in Tunisia and Libya to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean, Meloni seeks to expand her anti-migration strategies. The plan includes re-admittance deals with origin countries, allowing Italy to repatriate illegal migrants. The energy investments are presented as incentives for these countries to cooperate, forming the core of Meloni’s Mattei Plan, which she describes as “non-predatory, non-paternalistic, but also not charitable.” “Human traffickers will never be defeated if the causes that push a person to leave his home are not addressed at the source. This is exactly what we intend to do, from one side by declaring war to the smugglers of the third millennium and on the other by working to offer African peoples an alternative of opportunities, work, training and legal migration paths,” said Prime Minister Meloni. Challenges and competition As the Italy-Africa Summit concludes, questions arise about the adequacy of Meloni’s offer. With the European Union pledging a much larger investment—$160 billion in 2022—Meloni’s $6 billion seems comparatively modest. The willingness of African nations to accept this investment remains uncertain, raising doubts about the plan’s effectiveness in winning over nations and addressing the complex interplay of energy security and migration in the region. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Mattei Plan represents a bold and multifaceted approach to addressing Italy’s dual challenges of illegal immigration and energy security. As the summit concludes, the success of the plan hinges on the reception it receives from African nations and its ability to provide a viable solution to the intricate issues at hand. The outcome will undoubtedly shape Italy’s role in Africa’s development and contribute to the ongoing discourse on global cooperation and strategic partnerships. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.