Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Rome on Friday.
They discussed a new initiative to bolster African economies.
The summit aimed to curb irregular migration to the European Union.
Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party prioritizes reducing undocumented immigration.
She launched a $6.3-billion plan targeting 14 African nations.
This plan supports various industries, from energy to healthcare.
The goal is to address migration’s root causes, she stated.
This aims to prevent dangerous journeys organized by criminal groups.
Meloni seeks to align this plan with the EU’s Global Gateway program.
Von der Leyen affirmed Africa needs its “talents, skills, entrepreneurs, and labor force.”
Joint commitments totaled 1.2 billion euros.
These primarily focus on the Lobito Corridor and Blue-Raman communication system.
African Union chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf welcomed the investments.
He noted the corridor would “boost intra-African trade.”
Meloni’s plan also strengthens Italy-Africa energy ties.
However, AU chief Moussa Faki Mahamat voiced caution.
He warned against relying on “promises often broken.”
Experts also question the plan’s potential to reduce migration.
Giovanni Carbone, from the University of Milan, believes Italy’s funding is insufficient.
Simone Ogno, from ReCommon, suggests the plan benefits Italian fossil fuel interests.
Major Italian companies like Eni are already involved.
Irregular EU border crossings were 239,000 last year, a 38 percent decrease from 2023.
Central Mediterranean arrivals to Italy dropped 59 percent to 67,000 migrants last year.