Italy pledges deeper cooperation at second Italy-Africa Summit

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — 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 state. “We want to be more consistent with the needs of the countries involved.”

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Italy had provided Africa with a gateway to Europe through these partnerships.

“This is a moment to move from dialogue to action,” he said. “By combining Africa’s energetic and creative population with Europe’s experience, technology and capital, we can build solutions that deliver prosperity to our continents and beyond.”

After the Italy-Africa summit concludes Friday, African leaders will remain in Addis Ababa for the annual African Union Summit that begins Saturday.

Kenyan writer and political analyst Nanjala Nyabola said tangible results from such summits depend on preparations made by countries.

African governments often focus on “optics instead of actually making summits a meaningful engagement,” she said.

Instead of waiting to receive a list of demands, countries should “present the conclusions of an extended period of mapping the national needs” and engage in dialogue to see how the needs can be met.

Since it was launched two years ago, the Mattei Plan has directly involved 14 African nations and has launched or advanced around 100 projects in crucial sectors, including energy and climate transition, agriculture and food security, physical and digital infrastructure, health care, water, culture and education, training and the development of artificial intelligence, according to the Italian government.

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Musambi reported from Nairobi, Kenya.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali delivers a speech during the second Italy-Africa Summit at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye delivers a speech during the second Italy-Africa Summit at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses the second Italy-Africa Summit at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech during the second Italy-Africa Summit at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali delivers a speech during the second Italy-Africa Summit at the Addis International Convention Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Amanuel Sileshi)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul George scored 23 points, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. each had 21 and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-103 on Friday night.

Joel Embiid had 19 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in his return to the lineup to help the 76ers remain sixth in the Eastern Conference with five games to play.

Julius Randle and Bones Hyland each had 21 points for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards struggled to eight points. Edwards was back in action after sitting out Thursday night in a 113-108 loss at Detroit due to illness. He missed 12 of 15 shots overall, including all seven 3-point tries.

Embiid, who didn't play Wednesday night in a 153-131 victory at Washington due to illness, scored 13 points in the third period when the 76ers outscored Minnesota 42-24. The 76ers trailed 70-68 with 2:50 remaining in the period before scoring 15 of the final 16 points of the quarter to enter the fourth ahead 83-71. Maxey had six points during the stretch, and Quentin Grimes finished the spurt with back-to-back fast-break layups.

George's 3-pointer with 6 1/2 minutes to play put Philadelphia ahead by a game-high 17 points. But Minnesota got as close as within six points in the final 1 1/2 minutes before Oubre put it away with consecutive 3-pointers.

Like Philadelphia in the East, the Timberwolves are sixth in the Western Conference.

Timberwolves: Host Charlotte on Sunday night.

76ers: Host Detroit on Saturday night.

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Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe goes to shoot during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)