New Delhi, Feb. 16 -- Italy pledged Friday to deepen cooperation with African countries during its second Italy-Africa summit, the first on African soil, aimed at reviewing projects started in critical sectors such as energy and infrastructure during Italy's first phase of the Mattei Plan for Africa.

The plan, launched in 2024, is aimed at promoting investment-led cooperation rather than traditional aid.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addressed dozens of African heads of state and governments in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, and reiterated that a successful partnership would depend on Italy's "ability to draw from African wisdom" and ensure lessons are learned.

"We want to build things together," she told African heads of sta...