Ahead of the African Union Summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to participate in the second Africa-Italy Summit on February 13, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This summit aims to reinforce the 'Mattei Plan'—Italy's strategic investment initiative in Africa, which promises to direct over 5 billion euros into infrastructure and development projects across 14 African nations over three years. The initiative is seen as a critical step towards addressing both economic growth in these countries and managing the migrant crisis faced by Italy.

Giovanni Carbone, the Director of the Africa Department at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, emphasized the project's focus on launching easily implementable ventures that can drive substantial economic activity and provide immediate benefits. As per the details shared, various projects have already commenced under the Mattei Plan's framework, demonstrating Italy's commitment to fostering relationships with African nations while promoting investment opportunities for Italian companies.

The discussions at this upcoming summit will likely revolve around the progress of these initiatives, the challenges faced in the implementation of the Mattei Plan, and the broader implications for Italy's foreign policy in Africa. By engaging more actively with African partners, Italy is not only seeking to enhance trade ties but also to mitigate the pressures of migration by creating sustainable opportunities within these countries.