Over the past three years, the Italian government has promoted the so-called Mattei Plan, a cooperation and investment program aimed at strengthening relations with African countries, particularly in the fields of energy and natural resources. However, from the perspective of many analysts, non-governmental organizations, and African stakeholders, numerous critical issues emerge that deserve attention and reflection.
One of the main concerns relates to the financial allocation of the plan. With approximately 5.5 billion euros allocated, the Mattei Plan appears, in the eyes of many, to be an initiative with insufficient resources to generate a truly transformative impact on a continental scale. Africa, facing multiple development challenges, requires substantial and long-term investments that go beyond simple short-term partnerships. The amount of funds planned risks being inadequate to significantly address the vast infrastructural, health, and economic needs of African countries.
Another criticism of the plan concerns the design process, which is considered to be too non-inclusive and lacking in participation. According to several analysts and African civil society organizations, there is a lack of genuine consultation with local partners and affected communities, with the risk that Italian and Western economic interests might be prioritized at the expense of African populations’ development priorities. This lack of engagement threatens to perpetuate a neo-colonial model, where resources and opportunities are managed externally without proper involvement and benefits for local communities.
Furthermore, the Mattei Plan concentrates heavily on the utilization and exploitation of energy resources, particularly natural gas, highlighting a strong dependence on fossil fuels. Environmental movements and African missionary organizations criticize this approach, emphasizing that it starkly contrasts with the energy transition and sustainability strategies necessary to address climate change. Promoting the exploitation of fossil fuels risks tying African countries to outdated energy models and exacerbating environmental crises, as well as limiting the development of renewable energies.
Finally, one of the most pointed criticisms pertains to the plan’s heuristic view of migration. Often, African migration dynamics are reduced to a simple issue of “the right not to emigrate” or economic incentives. This reduction overlooks the deeper reasons for migration, such as poverty, conflicts, lack of opportunities, and environmental and social crises. Such oversimplification of African migrations risks fostering paternalistic and ineffective policies that do not address the structural causes of migration itself.
The Mattei Plan, therefore, while bringing undeniable benefits to the involved countries, presents many critical issues that cannot be ignored.
A broader, more inclusive, and sustainable collaboration with Africa—based on respect for local priorities, transparency, and long-term commitment—is essential for effective international cooperation. Only in this way can we prevent the plan from becoming merely a tool serving external interests without delivering genuine benefits to African populations.
