Overview

• Italy has committed €5.5 billion to support energy, infrastructure, education and health projects across 14 African countries but has assigned under €2 billion to specific initiatives
• Flagship projects include a proposed railway linking Zambia and Angola and a €65 million investment in biofuel production in Kenya
• African leaders and the African Union Commission have praised the plan’s ambition while cautioning that financial pledges alone will not solve deep-rooted economic challenges
• NGOs and policy experts warn the plan risks serving Italian fossil fuel interests and may not significantly curb irregular migration
• Rome views the Mattei Plan as an opportunity to bolster its diplomatic influence in Africa as French sway in the region declines