How is Italy's ODA changing over time?

Italy's ODA jumped by more than 60% between 2020 and 2022, and immediately dropped sharply in 2023 before rising again to US$6.5 billion in 2024. The latest government budget would see ODA to slightly increase again in 2025 to US$7 billion, but it is expected to fall slightly after in line with budget projections until 2028. While the Italian Parliament had adopted a resolution committing to the 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio in 2023, and the 0.7% target has also been reiterated in the Italian cooperation strategy for 2024-2026, it is unlikely that Italy's ODA would reach 0.7% by 2030.

Under the current right-wing coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni, who came to power in 2022, ODA has been relatively prioritized, although budget projections indicate a slight decrease in ODA due to fiscal pressures and a focus on domestic priorities. ODA is positioned as a strategic tool to promote stability in partner countries while serving Italy's economic and geopolitical interests. Italy's current development strategy, as outlined in the 2024-2026 Programming and Planning document, focuses on the African continent and mitigating the root causes of migration and displacement. The four priority areas are: health, education, agriculture/food security, and climate.

Development spending is strongly tied to the Mattei Plan, which is Italy's flagship initiative for its engagement with Africa, launched in 2023. It seeks to build a 'partnership of equals' with a focus on energy, infrastructure, education, and migration management. Prime Minister Meloni is committed to further developing international partnerships and synergies, such as the one that occurred between the Mattei Plan and the Global Gateway. Italy is also working to identify new instruments to attract FDI leveraging the Mattei Plan.