At the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ meeting in Bari, Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to focus on Africa and positioning Italy as a key energy hub between Europe and the continent. However, experts have expressed concerns about whether there is a clear vision and economic resources to achieve this goal. The G7 meeting will bring together a dozen heads of state to discuss global politics, with themes such as Africa, climate change, and development at the forefront. Meloni aims to highlight her outreach ambitions by inviting a significant number of guests from the Global South to the forum.
Meloni’s vision for the Mattei Plan involves projecting power in Africa and turning Italy into a bridge for gas distribution from Africa and the Mediterranean to Europe, with the goal of supporting economic growth and reducing mass migration from the African continent. Her objectives seem to be more focused on investment rather than development, with an emphasis on financial institutions, banks, and private and state-owned companies. The involvement of NGOs and humanitarian organizations in her plan is less prominent, as she seeks partnerships, money, and legitimacy at the G7 meeting.
Italy’s interest in Africa is driven by the continent’s vast mineral reserves, which are crucial for renewable and low-carbon technologies. As Western nations seek to reduce their dependence on Russian gas, Africa’s natural gas resources have become increasingly important. Italy’s ambition to engage with Africa comes at a time when competitor France is facing setbacks, and Italy aims to position itself as a more collaborative and less imposing partner on the continent. However, there is skepticism about the viability of Meloni’s plan, with critics pointing to vague investment areas and lack of additional resources.
During an Italy-Africa summit earlier this year, Meloni outlined areas of investment in energy, agriculture, water, health, and education, along with a few pilot projects. Critics found the plan vague and noted that most projects appeared to be rebranding of existing initiatives. Concerns were raised about the lack of consultation with African partners and the limited economic resources available for new projects. Observers also highlighted the marginal role of the foreign ministry and NGOs with respect to the development of the plan, as well as criticisms from rights groups linking the plan to anti-immigration policies.
Despite Meloni’s efforts to promote the Mattei Plan as a strategic initiative to strengthen Italy’s position in Africa, there are doubts about its practicality and impact. Critics argue that the plan lacks substance and may amount to little more than a narrative without concrete action or resources allocated to support it. As Italy seeks support from EU member states to fund its initiatives, questions remain about the role of the foreign ministry and the overall institutional presence of Italy across the African continent. Critics have also raised concerns about the perceived politicization of the plan and its potential impact on migration policies in the Mediterranean region.
