Russia fully supports Africa’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its economic sovereignty, Director of the African Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Anatoly Bashkin has told participants and organizers of Russia-Africa Expo 2024, an international business forum held in Moscow.
He emphasized the potential for deeper economic cooperation between Russia and the nations of the continent, noting that they share a common vision on many contemporary global issues.
“Russia, as a country with great potential, sufficient expertise in various areas of the economy, and modern technology, is ready to share its achievements, knowledge, and experience with its African friends, and to engage in mutually beneficial trade relations,” he stated. “We fully support the Africans’ desire to strengthen their economic sovereignty.”
In recent years, Bashkin highlighted, Africa has significantly bolstered its position on the international stage, emerging as a key player in global politics. He praised the continent’s growing role in the emerging multipolar world order.
Bashkin also noted that the deep-rooted ties between Russia and Africa, which date back to their joint struggles against colonialism, have paved the way for long-term partnerships.
Earlier this month, Bashkin stated that the African continent “is becoming increasingly attractive for investments in high-tech industries,” and pointed out “the positive dynamics” of growing trade turnover between Russia and African nations, emphasizing that many Russian companies have been operating in the region for a considerable time.
“In particular, the state corporation Rosatom is actively working to promote projects in African countries for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the construction of research centers based on multipurpose reactors, and, in the future, nuclear power plants. This should strengthen the continent’s energy security and give an additional boost to its industrial development,” he said.
In April, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also confirmed that Moscow would “further promote the strengthening of the sovereignty and security of African states in all dimensions.”