Summary:

On 29 October 20204, Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, conducted an official visit to Libya to attend the 30th session of the Italy-Libya Business Forum in Tripoli after more than ten years of suspension of the gathering. 

The Forum was attended by representatives of 200 Italian companies in addition to experts and lecturers. The event hosted the signing of eight agreements in various sectors including energy, infrastructure, health, and education. 

Tripoli’s PM, Abdelhamid Debeibah, announced that Italy’s national carrier ITA Airways will resume flights between the two countries in early 2025 and that travel restrictions on Italian businessmen will be lifted. 

He also announced the resumption of a coastal highway project that will link the Libyan frontier between Tunisia and Egypt. Other agreements focused on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to support the national economy, according to Debeibah. 

Outlook: 

Italy is moving forward in implementing its Mattei Plan which centers on supporting African countries in developing their economies through foreign investment and aid in attempt to reduce irregular migration flows to Europe.  

The Business Forum was an opportunity to put this policy into practice while gaining potential market opportunities for Italy’s energy and infrastructure players.  

For the Italian PM, “her fourth visit to Libya since assuming office underscores a deliberate policy decision by her government”, which reflects Libya’s importance for the Italian and broader European agendas in North Africa. 

Italy is likely to continue developing its ties with Libya and Algeria, as compared to Morocco and Tunisia, which are more closed tied to France. 

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