What does the future hold for Russia, Africa?

As the second Russia Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum draws near, this year’s forum is stated as the most crucial one yet with regards to strengthening the relationship of the two bodies in light of the current global situation.
During a round table session held on Wednesday July 12, in Addis Ababa, under the theme, ‘On the road to the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum’, various representatives including that of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AFROCOM), relevant ministries, industry and business associations discussed the prospects for the development of Russian-African economic and social partnership relations.
At the event which was dedicated to the Second Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum that will be held on July 27 and 28 in St. Petersburg, Russia’s Evgeny Terekhin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Russia to the African Union, said that the upcoming event is considered by Russia as a systematic foundation element of partnership between Russia and Africa.
As the Russian Ambassador indicates, the main regional alliances within the African Union and regional economic communities is based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and not intertwining internal affairs as Russia supports African countries unequivocally in the struggle for sovereignty, whilst rendering support and providing security and economic growth.
“This is the biggest difference from the so called countries of the collective West that is still living in the context of supremacy and trying to still stick to some neo-colonial practices as the Russia position strengthens the concept of a multi-polar world and opens up additional opportunities for the development of our relationships. The current geopolitical situation demands and requires a certain direction of the mechanisms of our interaction,” he added.
“The Russia–Africa Summit is an event that plays a key role in the development of Russian-African relations. It is thanks to this format of interaction that we will be able to achieve a qualitatively new level of mutually beneficial partnership as soon as possible which is capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century and the further strengthening of equally beneficial partnerships between Russia and African countries in all measurements of politics, economy, in education, science, culture and humanitarian spheres,” Amb. Evgeny said.
He added that despite the colossal operation from the Western countries on African partners, the blackmail and threats, St. Petersburg will still see the majority of leaders of African nations and also leaders of regional alliances and integrated communities.
It was also state that the core idea and the backbone of the summit was the eagerness and the readiness of the Russian Federation to provide all kinds of support and strengthening of the sovereignty of African countries and protection of the principle of the sovereign equality.
On the round table, Igor Morozov, Chairperson of AFROCOM said that the digitalization of Africa attracts special attention of Russians, “Russia has the world’s best B2B, B2C digital platforms, product and educational service labeling, and Moscow has become the best city in the world in terms of living comfort and digitalization of the services offered. Only Toronto and Singapore are in the top three. We certainly have something to share with our African partners, especially since they are already ready for a new experience: the African Continental Free Trade Area has begun to operate, many countries of the continent, including Ethiopia, are creating science and technology parks and IT clusters.”
“The west has been trying to sever the ties between Russia and Africa, but our relationship has thrived withstanding all challenges,” he added.
According to the Chairperson, Russian companies are ready to participate in the Ethiopian economy in the fields of production and assembly of cars, tractors and other agricultural equipment, “We are pledging commitment to attract more other investments to the country.”