Rome: African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, along with several African leaders, is participating in the Mattei Plan Summit hosted in Rome, Italy. The Summit aims to foster collaboration among African states involved in the Lobito Corridor and engage multilateral financial institutions in this initiative.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Chairperson expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to enhance joint efforts under the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway. These efforts are in alignment with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives, highlighting the commitment to strengthen economic and social ties across the continent.
The summit was inaugurated by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who emphasized the importance of the Mattei Plan for Africa in addressing issues such as illegal migration. Prime Minister Meloni stated, “By strengthening Africa we strengthen Europe,” underlining the mutual benefits of enhanced cooperation.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is also attending the summit, which is taking place at Villa Doria Pamphilj. The event, titled “The Mattei Plan for Africa and the Global Gateway: A common effort with the African Continent,” seeks to create a collaborative framework for addressing shared challenges and opportunities between Europe and Africa.