Rome Summit Reveals EU, Italy Initiative

(MENAFN) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen jointly led a conference in Rome on Friday, centered on advancing strategic funding for Africa, where they revealed collaborative EU-Italy deals totaling EURO1.2 billion (USD1.38 billion).

In a shared declaration, the two officials reiterated their united goal to foster “impactful partnerships, drive high-quality investments, and unlock opportunities for African-led sustainable growth – anchored in mutual respect, long-term collaboration, and shared prosperity.”

The gathering welcomed dignitaries from several African nations, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia, as well as the African Union Commission’s chairperson.

Major global financial organizations – such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, and the Africa Finance Corporation – also took part in the meeting.

Both the European Commission and Italy restated their strategic alliance within the framework of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the “Mattei Plan for Africa,” an Italian-led program designed to partner with African nations “to realize a shared vision for sustainable growth, resilience, and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

The leaders underlined their commitment to hastening investment in key interconnected domains, such as transport links, power systems, agricultural production chains, and trade enhancement – all guided by a holistic strategy aimed at strengthening local markets and encouraging inclusive regional collaboration.

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