A significant assembly of over 50 delegations, featuring more than 25 African Heads of State, heads of government, ministers, and other high-ranking officials, is underway in Rome for the Italy-Africa Summit. The summit initiates with a dinner on Sunday, paving the way for the official proceedings on Monday.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, emphasizing a commitment to address mass migration from Africa, stated, “My goal is to work in Africa and block the departures in Africa.”
For Meloni, Africa holds a paramount position in Italy’s agenda. Italy aims to position itself as a transit hub for African energy, pledging assistance in the “sustainable exploitation of natural resources.”
Furthermore, Rome has declared that a substantial 70% of its climate fund, dedicated to promoting international environmental projects, will be directed towards initiatives in Africa. Notably, the continent boasts 60% of the world’s suitable areas for solar electricity production, though currently accounting for only 1% of installed solar PV capacity.
The stark reality persists that 600 million people, equivalent to 43% of the total population, lack access to electricity, with a significant concentration in sub-Saharan Africa. Encouragingly, countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda are on a trajectory to achieve full electricity access by 2030.
The Italy-Africa Summit represents a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration and addressing crucial issues that span the realms of migration, energy, and environmental sustainability.
