Italy has started discussions with Rwanda over a possible agreement to host migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected before they are returned to their countries of origin.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that Rwanda is among three African countries being considered for the proposed arrangement, alongside Uganda and Ghana.
Under the plan, Italy is considering establishing centres outside its territory where rejected asylum seekers would be temporarily accommodated while authorities organise their return to their home countries.
The initiative forms part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government strategy to curb irregular migration and strengthen the management of migrants who are denied international protection.
Piantedosi said the discussions with potential partner countries are still at an early stage, meaning no final agreement has been reached.
He added that Italy hopes the initiative could eventually become an EU-wide mechanism, allowing member states to jointly use such facilities to handle cases of migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected.
The European Union has been developing a framework known as “return hubs”, which would allow rejected migrants to be transferred to centres outside EU territory as part of the return process.
In June 2026, the European Parliament approved measures allowing EU member states to send migrants without legal status to countries outside the bloc after return decisions are made.
Italy’s proposal follows its controversial “Albania Model”, under which it established migrant processing facilities in Albania. The arrangement has faced legal challenges and criticism from human rights groups over concerns about compliance with international refugee and asylum protection standards.
Rwanda has increasingly become involved in migration-related partnerships with Western countries. In 2025, the country signed an agreement with the United States to receive up to 250 migrants who would be transferred after undergoing assessment procedures.
The potential Italy-Rwanda cooperation would add to Rwanda’s growing role in international discussions on migration management.
