Italian aerospace firm Leonardo and agro-industrial conglomerate BF entered into an agreement with the government on Friday to implement agricultural initiatives across various African nations, aligning with Rome's development strategy for the continent.

This agreement is part of the Mattei plan, a series of initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth in nine countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Algeria, with the Italian government aiming to mitigate immigration challenges.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the expansion of the four-year initiative to include Angola, Ghana, Mauritania, Tanzania, and Senegal, increasing the total number of targeted countries to 14.

Leonardo will supply technology for monitoring crops, soil, and water resources from space, which will complement BF's agricultural projects aimed at enhancing crop yields and addressing issues related to climate change, soil degradation, and inefficient resource management.

Stefano Pontecorvo, Chairman of Leonardo, stated that the company would deliver digital and satellite technologies through Telespazio, a collaboration with the French company Thales and its satellite division e-Geos.

He refrained from disclosing the anticipated scale of Leonardo's investment.

Federico Vecchioni, CEO of BF, informed Reuters that the company intends to invest 400 million euros ($412.24 million) over the next three years, in addition to securing state-backed loans.

"The initiative seeks to empower local communities by providing them with the tools to effectively manage their land resources, adopting a non-colonialist approach that equips locals with the necessary skills and instruments," Vecchioni explained to Reuters.

Fabrizio Saggio, the government's diplomatic advisor, indicated that there are plans to establish additional agreements with other Italian firms in key sectors identified in collaboration with the involved African nations.