Akufo-Addo attends Italy-Africa Summit in Rome

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has attended the Italy-Africa summit in Rome, at which Italy unveiled its development plan for the continent.

In attendance at Monday’s summit were over 20 African leaders, top European Union and United Nations officials as well as representatives from international lending institutions.

Pilot projects
During her opening speech, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, outlined a series of pilot projects in individual countries that she said would enable Africa to become a major exporter of energy to Europe, helping it reduce its dependence from Russian energy. “We want to free up African energy to guarantee younger generations a right which to date has been denied,” Meloni said.

According to the prime minister, her country’s plan for Africa’s development will create jobs on the continent and discourage young people from leaving and attempting dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe.

The plan, named after founder of state-controlled and gas giant Eni Enrico Mattei, involves pilot projects in areas such as health care, water, sanitation, agriculture and infrastructure. “It’s a cooperation of equals, far from any predatory temptation but also far from the charitable posture with Africa that rarely is reconciled with its extraordinary potential for development,” Meloni told the leaders.

Pledge
Ms Meloni pledged an initial 5.5 billion euros ($5.95 billion), including state guarantees for Africa’s development.
Meloni said the summit had been a success that had produced many areas of potential cooperation, particularly with regards to energy. “We are only at the beginning, there is a very long road ahead of us. This day is a restart,” she said in her closing remarks.

Concern
However, there was a note of discord from some of those present, with Moussa Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, saying he wished Africa had been consulted first on priorities and emphasising the need to honour commitments.

Other areas
Meloni also said Europe had to bolster industry and agriculture in Africa to strengthen local economies as a way of persuading disaffected young Africans from migrating north. Touching on mass immigration, she said, “Mass immigration will never be stopped, human traffickers will never be defeated if we do not address the many causes that push a person to leave their home. This is exactly what we intend to do.”