Russia is open to dialogue: officials discuss Russian-African cooperation on the forum track in Moscow

Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov, who serves as the executive secretary of the organizing committee in charge of preparing for and holding events of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, and Chairman of the Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AFROCOM) Igor Morozov recapped Russia’s joint work with African countries as part of the forums in 2024 and outlined plans for 2025 during a recent meeting in Moscow.

“Relations with African countries are a rapidly developing focus of ​​Russia’s foreign policy today. Russia is actively supporting African countries, establishing partnerships, and spreading Russian language and Russian culture. Language centres are opening and our country is investing in the infrastructure and economy of African countries. Relations are also developing in transport logistics: international transport corridors are being established and business-to-business ties are being improved. Intensifying partnership relations between Russia and African countries is one of the priorities for our country’s leadership today. I firmly believe that joint work as part of business events in Russia and Africa will strengthen our relations and identify new growth points for the near future. Russia is open to dialogue in all areas,” Anton Kobyakov said.

The two officials addressed the results and plans to develop the ‘Russia–Ethiopia: No Time to Wait!’ International Business Forum, which took place on 12–14 November 2024 in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. They discussed expanding the African agenda of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which will once again provide a platform for Russian and African partners to exchange views on promising projects outlined at the Second Russia–Africa Summit and the documents adopted following the event. Anton Kobyakov and Igor Morozov also spoke in detail about the projects of Russian entrepreneurs in Africa.

Russia and Africa had a landmark year for cooperation in 2024. In addition to the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where African countries are always widely represented by their delegations, the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum was held at Sirius Federal Territory pursuant to the decisions adopted at the Second Russia–Africa Summit. The high-level meeting brought together the heads of Russian and African foreign policy services, the leadership of the African Union Commission, and the executive bodies of regional integration associations, as well as their representatives.

In 2024, the Roscongress Foundation organized a number of events in Africa in an effort to develop and intensify mutually beneficial cooperation and discuss key economic issues facing the Russia and African markets. Offsite sessions were held in Algeria (24 January) and South Africa (27 March). On 4–8 November, Cape Town hosted events as part of African Energy Week, where the Roscongress Foundation served as a strategic partner and presented its key projects and events. A Russia–Africa roundtable was organized for the first time in the history of the event and brought together key players in the energy sector. On 12–14 November, the ‘Russia–Ethiopia: No Time to Wait!’ International Business Forum was held in Addis Ababa, which created a foundation for promoting Russian high technologies and localizing companies whose products are in demand on the Ethiopian market.

“Russia and African countries will continue to work together on the forum track in 2025. The events held with our partners from the African continent have proven their importance and effectiveness for establishing business ties and developing joint economic, social, and cultural projects. Russia is ready to take part in coordinating and providing trade and economic support for business projects involving international economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation between our countries. In this regard, the business platforms that the Roscongress Foundation organizes are an essential tool for promoting international relations,” Igor Morozov said.

At the end of the meeting, the two officials spoke about creating reliable platforms to intensify mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and promote Russian products and technologies on the African market, including as part of further developing Roscongress International project offices in African countries.