Kester Kenn Klomegah

Experts, such as Professors Vladimir Shubin and Alexandra Arkhangelskaya, Institute for African Studies in Moscow, have argued that Russia needs to be more strategic in aligning its interests, and be more proactive with instruments and mechanisms in promoting economic cooperation in order to reap

The bank, with the task of transforming Russia’s trade with Africa, organised an economic conference for more than 1,500 participants from 20-22 June in Moscow. The economic conference and other Russia–African events in 2019 can be described as “the Year of Africa” in the Russian Federation.

Russia, Africa and the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum

“It is not your first time in Russia. Our countries have always had friendly relations that have been developing this way for 55 years now. Our trade is growing – by over 60 percent – although, unfortunately, the numbers in absolute terms are still modest.

Striking a personal note, the Angolan leader, who completed his education in 1982 in Moscow, said: “Moscow then and now are two different cities. My congratulations – you have ensured progress and development for Russia and the Russian people.”

In a February decree posted on the Russian government’s Official Legal Information Portal, Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed his aide Yuri Ushakov to chair the organising committee paving the way for the first Russia-Africa summit that Moscow plans to host in Sochi.

Like many African countries, Zimbabwe’s economy needs sustainable resuscitation.

Early March 2018, Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Hommes d’Afriquemagazine that, “our African friends note the need for Russia’s active presence in the region, and more frequently express interest in holding a Russia-African summit.

In practice, Russian officialdom has not encouraged and supported the idea of media that could, in a way, present the positive changes and emerging economic opportunities in the Russian Federation to the general reading public, political elite and business community in Africa. 

Interview excerpts

Russia and Africa mark nearly 30 years of bilateral relations after the Soviet collapse. What does this mean from African perspectives?