At a time when Ethiopia is experiencing domestic instability, Rome is doubling down on its support for Abiy Ahmed — a bold move that combines opportunity with

In June 2025, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met in Rome for a long-awaited meeting on synergies between Italy’s and Europe’s plans for international cooperation, the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway, respectively.1 The meeting, together with the updated report to Parliament published in July,2 provided a clearer account of the projects launched, the financial commitment and the upcoming institutional steps.

I'm in Rome today, where President von der Leyen is joining Prime Minister Meloni in co-chairing a summit merging the EU's Africa policy with Italy's Mattei Plan.

On 28-29 January 2024, the Italian Senate hosted the Italy-Africa Summit, bringing together 21 heads of state and government from African countries, along with other representatives of African, Europe...

The Meloni government’s Mattei Plan aims to strengthen Italy’s role in Africa through energy security and economic projects. So far, the plan...