Energy Security Drives Strategic Pivot
The immediate backdrop for the Mattei Plan was the war in Ukraine. In 2021, more than 40 percent of Italy’s gas imports came from Russia, a dependency that shifted significantly following the conflict.
In 2022 and 2023, Eni signed expanded contracts with Algeria’s state-owned energy company, Sonatrach. These agreements added up to nine billion cubic meters of annual capacity through the TransMed pipeline.
These deals elevated Algeria to Italy’s largest gas supplier, covering roughly one third of national imports. The shift also altered trade dynamics in the region, overtaking Spain as Algiers’ main customer.
In early 2023, Eni committed to an $8 billion offshore gas project in Libya despite ongoing instability in the country.
Merging Development with Border Control
The Mattei Plan incorporates migration policy by linking development funding and investment to cooperation on border controls. This approach pairs energy cooperation with support for migration management in partner nations.
In Egypt, Italy has supported Eni’s investments in the Zohr gas field while providing assistance for border policing and coastguard capacity.
In July 2023, the European Union and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding strongly promoted by Rome. The agreement offered up to €900 million in macro-financial assistance and €150 million in budget support for coastal surveillance in return for strengthened border policing.
The urgency of this strategy was reflected in migration statistics. In 2023, sea arrivals of irregular migrants to Italy reached 157,651, more than double the previous year.
Historical Precedent and Political Positioning
The Mattei Plan takes its name from Enrico Mattei, founder of Eni, who broke into oil markets dominated by the Anglo-American “Seven Sisters” in the 1950s. He offered producer countries more favorable terms than the prevailing 50/50 formula.
Mattei’s deals, including a 1957 contract with Iran’s National Oil Company, gave local governments a 75 percent share of revenues and paired financial incentives with technical assistance and training.
This approach positioned Italy as a cooperative partner at a time when London and Washington were seen as rigid and exploitative. Mattei’s methods won him allies in Algeria, Egypt, and Iran, giving Italy influence well beyond its limited military power.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revived the name in 2023 to place her government within Mattei’s tradition of independence and pragmatism. She sought to present the Mattei Plan as an attempt to recover Italy’s reputation for innovation and fairness while pursuing national interest.