After coming to power，Meloni continued to strengthen Italy’s expansionist policy towards Africa，which began under the Renzi government. Within the framework of “geopolitical Europe”，Italy has launched the “Mattei Plan” to enhance political and economic ties with the “Global South”，primarily composed of African countries. This plan aims to alleviate the current energy and refugee crises while simultaneously increasing Italy’s political leverage within the EU and reaffirming its position as a middle power. Compared to Italy’s previous development cooperation policies towards Africa，the “Mattei Plan” has a clearer framework of action and objectives. It occupies a key position in Italy’s foreign policy，highlighting the importance the country places on development cooperation with Africa and its desire to play a more significant role in African governance. While the Italian government claims that the Mattei Plan follows a new paradigm of collaboration that is “non-predatory” and “non-paternalistic”，there are concerns that Italy has not entirely shed its colonial mindset. Additionally，issues related to project implementation，funding，and planning have already begun to emerge within the Mattei Plan.