Italy is working with the European Union on a debt-relief plan for African countries, as part of its broader push to foster development on the continent and address the root causes of irregular migration.

“The entire 10-year operation will allow us to convert some 235 million euros ($270.67 million) of debt into development projects to be implemented locally,” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said.
In addition to the EU-led efforts, Italy is advancing its strategic framework, the Mattei Plan for Africa, which aims to accelerate growth in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure across African nations, according to Reuters.

The European Union’s involvement complements these efforts through its Global Gateway strategy, launched in 2021 to foster sustainable, high-standard investment as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

One of the flagship projects under this collaboration is funding for a new transport corridor connecting Angola’s Lobito port with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a crucial mineral export route.

“Investing in infrastructure is not just building railways, bridges and dams. It is also investing in training for local workers because that builds capacity and that is how transfer of expertise happens. And this results in positive spillovers all across the local economies of Africa. There is no better example than our work on the Lobito corridor,” President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said.

Debt concern
Meloni also stressed the urgency of addressing Africa’s growing debt burden, warning it could “undermine all other efforts” toward inclusive and sustainable development if left unaddressed.

She revealed that a new initiative is being developed to reduce the debt load of low- and middle-income African countries by up to 50%.

While she did not provide specific details, she emphasized that addressing debt was central to Italy’s broader strategy for fostering long-term growth and stability in Africa.

At the summit, Italy and the EU unveiled a total commitment of €1.2 billion to support development initiatives under both the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa.

Two years of Ibrahim Traoré's presidency
1. Burkina Faso's GDP increased from approximately $18.8 billion to $22.1 billion.

2. He reduced the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% and increased those of civil servants by 50%.

3. He paid off Burkina Faso's local debts.

4. He created two tomato processing plants, the first in the country.

5. In 2023, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art gold mine to strengthen local processing capacity.

6. He ended the export of Burkinabe raw gold to Europe.

7. He built Burkina Faso's second cotton processing plant. The country previously had only one.

8. He opened the first-ever National Support Center for Small-Scale Cotton Processing to support local cotton producers.

9. He banned the wearing of British wigs and robes in local courts and introduced traditional Burkinabé dress.

10. He prioritized agriculture by distributing more than 400 tractors, 239 power tillers, 710 motor pumps, and 714 motorcycles to boost production and support rural stakeholders.

11. He facilitated access to improved seeds and other agricultural inputs to maximize agricultural production.

12. Tomato production in Burkina Faso increased from 315,000 tons in 2022 to 360,000 tons in 2024.

13. Millet production increased from 907,000 tons in 2022 to 1.1 million tons in 2024.

14. Rice production increased from 280,000 tons in 2022 to 326,000 tons in 2024.

15. He banned French military operations in Burkina Faso.

16. He banned French media in Burkina Faso.

17. He expelled French troops from Burkina Faso.

18. His government is building new roads, widening existing ones, and converting gravel roads to paved ones.

19. He is currently building a new airport, Ouagadougou-Donsin Airport, scheduled for completion in 2025 and capable of handling one million passengers per year.

Many has attempted nearly 20 unsuccessful assassinations on his life and regime.
what do you think Africa should do to protect him?