The second Italy-Africa Summit is due to open in Addis Ababa today, as Rome seeks to cement its role as a strategic bridge between the European Union and the African continent. The meeting, which is being held on the fringes of the 39th African Union Summit, marks the first time the biennial event has taken place on African soil.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who arrived in Addis Ababa earlier today, is expected to frame the gathering as a "new chapter" in bilateral relations. A central focus of the talks will be the assessment of the Mattei Plan, a multi-billion euro development initiative launched by Rome in early 2024. The plan targets key sectors including energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, with 5.5 billion euros already allocated to support projects across the continent.

Italian officials say the summit is intended to move beyond "emergency-driven" diplomacy toward a long-term economic partnership based on mutual interest. In addition to reviewing ongoing projects, leaders are expected to identify new priority areas for the coming years. Following the conclusion of the summit tonight, PM Meloni is scheduled to attend the opening of the main African Union Assembly on Saturday as a guest of honour.