- As part of its “Mattei Plan” to support Africa, the Italian government has announced plans to establish a renewable energy training center in Morocco.
- The plan is viewed by the Italian government as a model for fostering a new type of partnership with African countries, focusing on training, employment, and entrepreneurship development.
As part of its “Mattei Plan” to support Africa, the Italian government has announced plans to establish a renewable energy training center in Morocco. The center will focus on renewable energy, electrical infrastructure, and energy efficiency and is expected to serve as a hub for training professionals from across the African continent.
The announcement was made during an international conference on “Green Growth in Africa,” organized by Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. According to the Italian ministry, the center will provide training for experts, technicians, and administrators in the new energy sectors, helping to enhance their professional skills.
The conference, which also highlighted new opportunities for collaboration on circular economy projects between Italy and African nations, was attended by representatives from Morocco’s embassy in Rome, the Italian Climate Fund, and other key partners involved in the implementation of the Mattei Plan.
The plan is viewed by the Italian government as a model for fostering a new type of partnership with African countries, focusing on training, employment, and entrepreneurship development. The initiative is also seen as part of Italy’s broader strategy to reduce irregular migration from North Africa, particularly from Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria.
Fabio Massimo Palerini, a senior official in the Italian Prime Minister’s Office, stated at the conference that the training center in Morocco would serve as a key resource for the entire African continent.
“Italy is working to open a training center in Morocco in the field of energy, which could benefit all of Africa, though the project will take time,” Palerini said. He noted that energy is a key focus area of the Mattei Plan, with significant progress already made in energy-related projects since the plan’s announcement.
Abdelali Tahiri, a renewable energy expert, explained that Italy’s decision to establish the center in Morocco reflects the country’s commitment to supporting Morocco’s sustainable energy goals. “Italy’s interest in Morocco stems from the country’s impressive infrastructure in renewable energy and environmental engineering, as well as its expertise in climate and environmental matters,” Tahiri said.
Italy has committed €5.5 billion to fund investments in Africa through the Mattei Plan, which includes loans, grants, and investments. Of this amount, €3 billion will come from the Italian Climate Fund, while the remaining €2.5 billion will be allocated through development cooperation resources from Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Tahiri added that Morocco’s ambitious goal of generating 52 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 is a key motivator for this partnership. “The energy sector offers significant potential for growth and job creation,” he said, noting that Morocco’s renewable energy push will provide more than 50,000 new jobs.
He also highlighted that the collaboration between Morocco and Italy, as part of the broader European Union partnership, will help accelerate Morocco’s energy transition. “This cooperation will contribute institutionally and practically to the country’s ongoing efforts to transition to green, clean energy,” Tahiri said. “It will also assist Morocco in meeting its long-term goal of creating a green, sustainable economy.”
The establishment of the renewable energy training center is seen as a major step in Morocco’s efforts to tackle future challenges posed by climate change and to support its transition to a cleaner, greener energy system. The project is expected to help train the next generation of energy professionals and boost the country’s energy security while creating new economic opportunities.