Developing local economies and raising living standards in Africa, she said, could dissuade prospective migrants from seeking refuge in Europe. Maddalena Procopio, an Africa analyst with the European Council on Foreign Relations, told VOA that Italy wants “to build cooperation and serious strategic relationships in Africa as equals not predators.” She cited the energy cooperation Africa has provided Italy that helped it move away from Russian gas. “The fact that the focus is an economic partnership and not only development cooperation means a good and pragmatic change of approach. Africa has massive needs in terms of financing: infrastructure, energy access, health, education." Procopio said EU and Western public finance alone will not be sufficient to address such development needs, so private funds will be necessary.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 06, 2024 17:53 UTC