The primary objective of the event was to coordinate efforts in executing Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa alongside the EU’s Global Gateway initiative.

The gathering attracted over 400 participants, including senior officials from Italy, the EU, African governments, the United States, and leaders from the private sector.

Italy, the EU, and the G7 are working together to present a unified, values-based alternative to existing global competition in Africa, focusing on sustainability and mutual benefits.

The event underscored the necessity for high-quality European solutions to compete with other global powers for influence in Africa.

This strategic partnership may signal a transformative shift in European-African relations as global competition intensifies.

The EU's Global Gateway initiative aims to promote sustainable development and create new trade opportunities for European businesses.

By engaging the private sector, both initiatives seek to promote sustainable investments and leverage advanced expertise.

Both the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway prioritize co-ownership, private sector involvement, and long-term resilience in shared areas of interest.

Key discussion topics included energy, infrastructure development, and the coffee supply chain, emphasizing areas of collaboration between the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway.

These strategies are designed to create tailored partnerships that cater to the specific needs of African nations.

Italy's Mattei Plan serves as a strategic blueprint aimed at fostering investment in Africa through collaborative projects in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.

On March 27, 2025, Italy and the European Union convened a high-level event in Rome aimed at enhancing cooperation with African nations, aligning Italy's Mattei Plan with the EU's Global Gateway initiative.