The Centre for African Studies at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics has released an English-language handbook titled ‘Africa 2025: Prospects and Challenges’, offering a new perspective for the continent’s development.
The publication, presented at the Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Sochi on November 9, is the first such work, prepared by Russian experts, to be primarily aimed at an African audience.
Edited by Andrey Maslov, head of the centre, the handbook is intended for African government officials, business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives. It provides an alternative to traditional Western narratives about Africa, emphasizing local agency and addressing critical issues including food sovereignty, energy, and digital independence.
Speaking to RT on Monday, Maslov highlighted the importance of an unbiased approach.
“In Russia, we have already made a contribution to the understanding of Africa by decision-makers. But our friends in Africa, our colleagues, have convinced us that they need our expertise there too. Our unbiased view is free from any stereotypes, from any racism, or patronizing attitudes towards Africa.”
He stressed that the book’s goal is to foster an alternative narrative that avoids paternalistic or Western-centric views of Africa.
“We are very positive about the future of Africa. But we think it needs its own agenda, not the one coming from the West,” the HSE Centre for African Studies director stated.
Maslov stressed the need for collaborative research between Russian and African academics on vital issues including demographic growth, energy consumption, governance, and food sovereignty.
The handbook has been welcomed by prominent figures in Africa. Moctar Seck, head of the Innovation and Technology Sector at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, highlighted its focus on the crucial issues of digital sovereignty, food security, and commerce. He called the publication a “deep analysis of Africa’s pressing challenges.”
“I also think that African ministers will find a lot of interesting things in it, and I am going to share it with them”, Seck noted.
Hassan Khannenje, Director of the HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies, commended the book’s focus on food sovereignty, a topic of growing concern amid global supply chain disruptions.
“This chapter is significant because it discusses geopolitics, where, as we understand, there have been failures and shortcomings in food supply and understanding,” he stated.
Tatenda Mavetera, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Postal and Courier Services of the Republic of Zimbabwe, noted that it is important to go beyond stereotypes when speaking about Africa.
“This book means a lot to us. Speaking about Africa-2025 means that we are looking at where we are going; it means looking into the future”, Mavetera said.
The inaugural Russia-Africa ministerial conference, hosted at the Sirius Federal Territory near the city of Sochi on the Black Sea, was held on November 9-10 and featured more than 40 government ministers from across Africa.