Mattei Plan for Africa steering committee meets at Palazzo Chigi

The fifth meeting of the Mattei Plan for Africa steering committee was held at Palazzo Chigi today, chaired by the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani.

The meeting was attended by: the members of the Government forming part of the steering committee; the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate; the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces; ANCI [National Association of Italian Municipalities]; and a wide range of representatives from the 'Sistema Italia', public bodies and state-owned enterprises, the world of universities and research, the third sector (including representatives of the diaspora in Italy), development cooperation organisations, and trade associations.

During the meeting, the outcomes of the second Italia-Africa Summit, held in Addis Ababa on 13 February, were presented. In line with the incremental approach of the Mattei Plan's implementation, it was also highlighted that the Plan has been expanded to four new nations - Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Zambia - meaning that a total of 18 nations are now involved in its projects.

The meeting then focused on an in-depth review of ongoing projects in two thematic areas: water resource management (the African Union's designated priority issue for 2026); and education and vocational training, in synergy with the numerous Italian actors involved. In this regard, it was lastly noted that Italy and Nigeria will co-chair the summit closing the replenishment cycle of the Global Partnership for Education - the leading international partnership for strengthening education - in Rome in June.