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Mattei Plan of Italy: Transforming Education for African Students

Mattei Plan
The Italian government has started an ambitious mission to redefine its role in global education, focusing on Africa in the first step. The recently amended Mattei Plan emphasizes the transformative power of education as a cornerstone of sustainable development. This plan comes at a crucial time, as Africa faces significant educational challenges that hinder its progress toward equitable growth and development. This Abroadin article uncovers this bold initiative.

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Let’s Talk About Africa’s Educational Crisis

Africa’s education landscape presents a stark reality. It is shocking that seven out of ten children in low-income countries cannot read a simple story by the age of ten!

Over 250 million children and youth remain out of school globally, with Africa shouldering the most considerable burden.

Girls, in particular, face systemic barriers to education due to economic, cultural, and social challenges.

These statistics reveal the urgent need for international collaboration and investment to tackle educational inequities.

Italy’s amended Mattei Plan directly addresses these issues, placing education at the heart of its development strategy.

To this matter, the Italian government’s commitment to education took center stage at the Italy-Africa Summit in January 2024, which united influential organizations such as UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), and Education Cannot Wait (ECW) alongside Italy’s G7 Presidency.

 

Now Comes the Ripple Effect of Investing in Education

Education has great potential to catalyze societal transformation, mainly for girls and young women, especially in less developed countries.

It’s interesting to know that providing 12 years of education to every girl globally could increase lifetime earnings for women by $15–30 trillion. That’s a shocking number!

Furthermore, each additional year of education can boost a woman’s earning potential by 20%, leading to improved economic security, family resilience, and societal stability.

Italy’s approach acknowledges these benefits and aims to leverage education to address broader challenges such as migration, climate change, and economic instability.

Following the Italy-Africa Summit, the February African Union Summit marked the launch of the African Year of Education.

Additional ministerial meetings and the G7 Summit under Italy’s presidency underscored the critical role of education in achieving sustainable development.

Italy aims to foster more equitable societies and create long-term solutions to Africa’s development challenges by framing education as a strategic investment rather than an expense.

This country’s vision for education in Africa extends beyond policy reforms and summits; it includes tangible programs that create direct pathways for African students.

By positioning education as the foundation of its Mattei Plan, Italy aims to replicate the success of the post-WWII Marshall Plan, fostering economic development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Despite these ambitions, Italy faces challenges in attracting international students. In 2022, the country issued only 25,000 study permits, significantly lagging behind France’s 105,000 and Germany’s 70,000 permits.

Several factors contribute to this disparity, including the limited global use of the Italian language and employment challenges for international students in Italy.

 

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Educate for the Future: A Practical Approach

Italy’s “Educate for the Future” initiative exemplifies its commitment to merging education with sustainability and innovation.

This program promotes collaboration between Italian and African schools, addressing global challenges such as climate change, technological advancements, and responsible consumption.

The initiative’s central component is the SUSTAIN Campaign (Sustainable Future Students African Italian Network), which encourages partnerships between schools in Italy and Africa.

This campaign has already achieved impactful results, such as installing 20 photovoltaic kits in rural Mauritanian and Burkinabe schools.

These kits have provided energy to 264 schools, dramatically improving access to education in underserved areas.

Italy aims to create a “national network of schools for a sustainable future by integrating education with sustainable practices,” boosting collaboration between students, educators, and the scientific community.

 

Mattei Plan, Bridging the Gap with Scholarships

An aspect of the Mattei Plan of Italy for boosting educational collaboration with Africa is its robust scholarship programs.

Italy offers some fully funded 2025–2026 academic year opportunities to African students across various educational levels, from undergraduate degrees to doctoral studies.

Programs such as the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Africa Scholarship Program and the TWAS-SISSA Lincei Research Cooperation Program provide students with opportunities to excel in fields such as biotechnology, renewable energy, and materials science.

Initiatives like the CICOPS Scholarships and ICGEB Fellowships further strengthen Italy’s reputation as a hub for academic excellence and international cooperation, addressing critical areas such as engineering, tourism, and linguistics.

They also emphasize gender equity and youth empowerment, particularly in underserved African communities.

For instance, the UNFPA Scholarship focuses on addressing gender gaps in education, especially in countries like Cameroon.

Italy has also made significant strides in fostering cultural and scientific ties with African nations through targeted education programs.

For instance, the Italian Embassy in Dakar has facilitated higher education opportunities for students from West Africa, including Senegal, Mali, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau.

Hundreds of students from these countries have benefited from scholarships funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

These programs enable students to pursue advanced studies in fields critical to Africa’s development, such as biotechnology, materials science, engineering, tourism, and linguistics.

📚 If you want to know about Scholarships for African Students Available for 2025 read this article:

Mattei Plan

Addressing Migration Through Education

Italy’s educational initiatives aim to address the root causes of migration by providing young Africans with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in their home countries.

Access to quality education and skill-building programs can empower young people to pursue meaningful careers, reducing the push factors that drive migration.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has emphasized the importance of education in addressing migration, comparing the Mattei Plan to a modern-day Marshall Plan.

By investing in education and fostering collaboration, Italy seeks to create pathways for African students to contribute to their local economies and communities, ultimately reducing migration pressures on Europe.

A key element of Italy’s educational collaboration with Africa is its focus on renewable energy and sustainability.

Programs like the RES4Africa Executive School exemplify this approach, providing specialized training in renewable energy and sustainable development.

This program, conducted in partnership with the Enel Foundation and other organizations, equips students with the knowledge and skills to address energy challenges across the continent.

Moreover, initiatives like the SUSTAIN Campaign have demonstrated the helpful impact of integrating renewable energy solutions into educational infrastructure worldwide.

These efforts highlight the transformative potential of combining education with sustainable energy solutions to create long-lasting change.

 

Mattei Plan, A Comprehensive Vision for the Future

Italy’s leadership in prioritizing education within its international development strategy has garnered praise from global organizations and leaders.

UNESCO, the GPE, and Education Cannot Wait have all commended Italy’s focus on education, particularly its emphasis on gender equity and sustainability.

These efforts align with the broader goals of the international community, reinforcing Italy’s role as a global leader in education and development.

Programs such as the “Educate for the Future” initiative and the SUSTAIN Campaign highlight the country’s commitment to integrating education with sustainability, renewable energy, and technological advancement.

One of the most notable aspects of Italy’s plan is focusing on partnerships. They try to create a collaborative network by fostering connections between Italian and African schools, governments, and research institutions.

This approach benefits Africa and strengthens Italy’s position as a leader in global education and innovation.

A recurring theme in Italy’s education efforts is the emphasis on gender equity. Women and girls in Africa face significant barriers to education, often due to poverty, cultural norms, and limited access to resources.

Recognizing the transformative impact of educating girls, Italy has integrated gender equity into its scholarship programs and educational policies. Data shows that investing in girls’ education yields significant economic and social benefits.

Educated women are more likely to participate in the workforce, contribute to household income, and make informed decisions about their families.

These ripple effects lead to stronger, more resilient communities, ultimately contributing to broader societal stability.

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Programs like the UNFPA Scholarship are specifically designed to address gender gaps in education, ensuring that women and girls in underserved regions have access to opportunities that can change their lives.

This focus on gender equity underscores Italy’s commitment to creating an inclusive and sustainable future, especially for brilliant international students.

📚 If you want to know about Top 10 Budget-Friendly Countries for African Students in 2025 read this article:

Education as a Strategic Investment

Italy’s approach to education reflects a shift in its perception on the global stage—from an expense to a strategic investment.

This perspective aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Agenda’s broader goals, emphasizing education’s role in achieving economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

Italy addresses interconnected issues such as migration, economic instability, and climate change by prioritizing education.

Educational programs equip young Africans with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world, reducing the socioeconomic disparities that often drive migration and instability.

As Italy continues implementing its Mattei Plan and other education-focused initiatives, its role in global development will likely expand next years.

Education will remain at the forefront of international discussions with key events such as the Italy-Africa Summit, the African Union Summit, and the G7 Presidency in 2024.

These platforms allow Italy to further its objectives and goals, share best practices, and inspire other nations to invest in education.

Through its leadership, Italy fosters development in Africa and sets a powerful example of how nations can collaborate to address global challenges.

Italy is trying to make the way for a more equitable and sustainable future for all by placing education at the core of its international strategy.

 

Conclusion

Italy’s commitment to education in Africa reflects a strategic approach to global challenges. They tend to shape a brighter future for African students through scholarships, partnerships, and renewable energy initiatives.

This Abroadin article was all about Mattei Plan. Now it’s your turn: What are your thoughts on Italy’s Mattei Plan? Please share your insights in the comments below!

FAQ

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Africa has the highest number of out-of-school children, with seven in ten unable to read by age ten. Addressing this crisis is essential for global development, economic stability, and reducing migration pressures.

Italy’s Mattei Plan prioritizes education through scholarships, school partnerships, and renewable energy initiatives. Italy also hosts key summits to drive international collaboration and investment in African education.

Education provides young Africans with career opportunities, reducing economic instability and the need for migration. Italy’s initiatives focus on skill-building and higher education to empower students in their home countries.

Italy funds scholarships and programs targeting women and girls, recognizing that educating girls leads to economic growth, social stability, and stronger communities.

Programs like the SUSTAIN Campaign and RES4Africa Executive School integrate education with renewable energy. In rural schools, Italy improves energy access and learning conditions by installing photovoltaic kits.

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