Cooperation between Russia and Africa

The main articles are:

• Russia's Foreign Policy
• Africa

2024: President of the Republic of Congo visits Russia

After an African trip by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in early June 2024, during which the minister visited Brazzaville, already President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso arrived in Moscow at the end of June, where he met with Vladimir Putin. For more details see Congo

2023

Russian exports to African countries grew by 50% over the year

In 2023, Russia exported $19.8 billion worth of products to African countries against $12.9 billion a year earlier. Thus, exports grew by about 50%. As for imports, from Africa to the Russian Federation it reached $3 billion at the end of 2023, which also exceeds the figure one year ago ($2.8 billion). This is evidenced by the data of the Federal Customs Service (FCS) of Russia, published in mid-January 2024. Read more here.

Putin's meeting with Burkina Faso leader Traore

Russian President V. Putin meets with Burkina Faso leader Traore in Moscow in July 2023

Many countries refuse to condemn Russia in the conflict in Ukraine

UN voting results

Mali's new military aid package

On January 19, 2023, in the presidential pavilion of Bamako International Airport in Mali, in the presence of Russian Ambassador Igor Gromyko, an official ceremony was held to transfer a new batch of Russian weapons to the Malian military. According to local sources, the Mali Air Force received:

• One Su-25 attack aircraft;
• Six combat training aircraft L-39;
• Two Mi-8 helicopters.

The commander of the Mali Air Force, General Alu Boi Diarra, rightly called the received Russian equipment "an unprecedented modernization of the Malian forces." Obviously, the last batch of military assistance has become the most voluminous since the beginning of Mali's cooperation with Russia.

Thus, since October 2021, the Malian military has received four Mi-17 helicopters, four Mi-35 helicopters, 2 Mi-8 helicopters, ten L-39 combat training aircraft and five Su-25 units. Against the background of France, which refuses to supply its satellites with the necessary equipment, Russia looks like a more serious and reliable military ally for African countries, the Rybar channel noted.

2019

Existing projects of Russian companies

Data for 2019

Russia-Africa Forum Results and Trade Dynamics

Unlike China or the EU, Russia managed to hold a representative summit with Africa without announcements of long-term aid programs. The hype of writing off $20 billion in debts to Africa was in vain. The president with this statement probably wanted to remind African partners of the goodwill of Russia and even more - of the Soviet contribution to the development of Africa. But in fact, no decisions on write-offs were made specifically for the date of the forum, all the main write-offs were completed in 2006-2007 and were related to the obligations that Russia assumed as part of the G8.. initiatives.

The African side was generally ready for a pragmatic approach. By the summit, none of the guests had any illusions that in exchange for a pro-Russian vote at the UN, they would be able to receive gratuitous grants, long-term loans and emotional investments worth billions of dollars in Sochi. Actually, on one of the main issues for Russia - the condemnation of Western sanctions - African countries already support Moscow..... Sovereignty from former metropolises is something Africa continues to fight for and is willing to pay for. Sovereignty as a right and an opportunity to write and pass laws, regulations, as an opportunity on an equal footing, and when necessary - and from a position of strength to speak with international investors and multinational companies. Sovereignty in the understanding of African leaders is an opportunity to apply "African solutions for African problems," including not accepting or applying Western standards and values. Here Russia is ready to support Africa....

Although the adviser to President Putin Anton Kobyakov said that agreements for more than 800 billion rubles (about $12.5 billion) were signed at the forum, it is difficult to assume what kind of agreements he had in mind. A lot of noise in the media was made by deals that were not really deals in the full sense of the word.

Results of the Russia-Africa Forum held in Sochi in October 2019

The situation with Russian exports to Africa is much better - it continues to grow and in 2018 exceeded $17 billion, and the growth is mainly due to non-primary goods (Africa ranks first among the regions of the world in terms of the share of non-oil exports in total exports from Russia). The total volume of Russian exports of goods to Africa for 2009-2018 is about $100 billion. But 68% of this falls on only two countries: Algeria ($25.8 billion) and Egypt ($37.5 billion). The next big buyers are lagging behind at times. The commodity structure of exports is also far from post-industrial.

The interest of Russian enterprises in exporting to Africa is determined by a combination of several circumstances: African markets are growing faster than others; new niches are still appearing there; Africa buys exactly what Russia sells or believes it can sell. Since 2000, Africa's total annual imports have quadrupled in absolute terms, from $130 to $536 billion. During this time, China increased its exports to Africa 19 times; India - in 11, Russia and Turkey - in 9 times. At the same time, Western countries are losing ground.

If for the Russian side the basis of their agenda was business initiatives (of various degrees of study), then for many African leaders the image component was important: President Putin is popular with voters in their countries, and any meeting with him means an increase in the rating.

Russia's business interests in Africa

Stratfor in September 2019 released an analytical note on relations between Russia and Africa.

On the infographic - a rating of countries with which Russia has common business projects.

1976

Meeting of CPSU Secretary General Leonid Brezhnev with the young Libyan leader Gaddafi, 1976.

19th century: Botkin's travels to Morocco and Kovalevsky to Ethiopia

In the 19th century, more was known about Africa, this was facilitated by trips to Morocco by Vasily Botkin, to Ethiopia by Yegor Kovalevsky and others. The press actively published essays and memoirs of travelers and sailors who visited the coast of the Black Continent.

1772: First Russians on the Cape of Good Hope

Under Catherine II, the Russians first reached the Cape of Good Hope. Oddly enough, these were exiles led by the rebel August Benevsky. A group of people passed by sea through Japan, Taiwan, Macau, and in 1772 arrived in Mauritius, and then - in Madagascar and beyond.

11th century: Prince Vladimir sends ambassadors to Egypt

The famous "Tale of Bygone Years" of the early 12th century mentions, among other countries, Africa, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, as well as the city of Alexandria. They appeared there due to the fact that Prince Vladimir sent his ambassadors to Egypt at the beginning of the 11th century.