The announcement resulted from the visit of an Italian delegation led by Stefano Gatti, Director-General for Development Cooperation, to the Ministry of Finance.

The visitors met with State Finance Ministers Eyob Tekalign and Semereta Sewasew.

Local officials expressed gratitude to the Government of Rome for the support aligned with the Ethiopian Government’s priorities, emphasizing the urgent need for accelerated financial assistance.

The Italian delegates, in turn, welcomed Ethiopia’s progress and expressed their willingness to collaborate closely to expedite ongoing projects in agro-processing, energy, job creation, improving coffee productivity, and enhancing their value chains.

As a president of the G7, Italy pledged support for Addis Ababa’s development aspirations, urging the local team to take advantage of climate funds and the “Mattei Plan” for African development, announced by the Italian Government in early 2023.

Stefano Gatti was accompanied by representatives of the Italian Development Cooperation Agency, entrepreneurs, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and Rome’s Ambassador to Addis Ababa, Agostino Palese.

jrr/iff/mem/nmr