Italy will convene the second Italy–Africa Summit on February 13 in Addis Ababa, in a landmark move that brings the high-level forum to African soil for the first time. The summit will be held on the margins of the African Union (AU) Summit, immediately ahead of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, reinforcing its diplomatic and political significance.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the date during her annual year-opening press conference, confirming that she will travel to Addis Ababa to participate in the AU Assembly as a guest of honor. Meloni is also scheduled to deliver remarks at the opening plenary session on Saturday, February 14, signaling Italy’s intent to elevate its engagement with Africa to the highest political level.
The Addis Ababa summit is a central pillar in the rollout of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, an ambitious strategic framework launched in Rome in January 2024. Named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of Italy’s state energy company ENI, the plan is designed to move beyond traditional aid-based approaches and instead foster mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships grounded in co-development, investment, and political cooperation.
Discussions at the summit are expected to focus on key priority sectors identified under the Mattei Plan, including sustainable and inclusive development, infrastructure and connectivity, energy transition and energy security, education and vocational training, healthcare systems, and agricultural transformation. Italian and African leaders will review progress achieved since the plan’s launch, assess early project outcomes, and identify new operational priorities and financing mechanisms for the coming years.
The meeting will also serve as a platform to expand joint projects between Italian institutions, private companies, and African governments, while deepening political dialogue on regional stability, migration, climate resilience, and economic integration. Particular emphasis is expected on coordinating future “system missions” — integrated diplomatic, economic, and development initiatives that align public institutions, development banks, and the private sector.
By hosting the summit in Addis Ababa alongside the AU Summit, Italy is positioning itself as a more embedded and strategic partner of Africa, seeking closer alignment with continental priorities and AU frameworks. The move underscores Rome’s broader ambition to strengthen its role in Africa at a time of heightened global competition for influence, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships across the continent.
