ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged a new Africa-Europe partnership on Friday, based on dignity and shared prosperity as he hosted the Second Italy-Africa Summit in Addis Ababa.

“Together, we can shape a new Africa-Europe relationship, not based on dependency, but dignity; not on extraction, but shared prosperity,” Abiy told leaders.

The co-host of the summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said Italy’s cooperation with Africa is “based on mutual benefit, will continue to strengthen,” and Rome’s “Mattei Plan” is intended to deliver “concrete benefits for African populations.”

Launched in 2024 after the first Italy-Africa Summit was held in Rome earlier that year, the Mattei Plan promotes investment-led partnerships in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and training.

Italy said the initiative aims to spur development and help curb irregular migration by supporting joint projects rather than traditional aid.

Participating in the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that cooperation “must be built on mutual respect and trust,” urging reforms to the global financial system to close a $4 trillion annual development financing gap and reduce high borrowing costs faced by African countries.

Leaders from across Africa and Europe, including senior African Union officials, attended the summit, which focused on energy, climate action, digital transformation and industrial development.