At the International Export Forum "Made in Russia," held on October 14 in Moscow, representatives from governmental and commercial structures from Russia and Africa were able to discuss key issues on the current agenda of Russian-African cooperation. The forum was organized by the Russian Export Center (VEB.RF Group).
During the expert session titled "How to Avoid Mistakes When Returning to Alkebulan," participants examined the prospects for developing bilateral cooperation and specific areas for joint work, the current geopolitical situation and its impact on Russia's interactions with the continent, as well as discussed pressing business issues, including logistics, finding reliable partners, and mutual settlements.
Many guests noted with satisfaction that the organizers used the term "Alkebulan"—one of the names for Africa used by Africans themselves and increasingly becoming popular among representatives of the youngest continent, instead of the conventional toponym "Africa." The term is employed to support a common neo-anticolonial discourse and the independence of African states.
The moderators of the session were Lyubov Demidova, chairwoman of the "Strategic Agency for Developing Relations with African Countries," and Edward Chesnokov, an international journalist and deputy editor of the international politics section.
"Africa is not only about grand economic prospects and vibrant cultures but sometimes also about sorrow. Fortunately, in the last decade, a new bright chapter in Africa's history has begun, in which Russia has played a significant role," noted Edward Chesnokov, emphasizing the increasing importance of Russian-African cooperation.
All participants in the discussion noted the growing mutual interest in developing cooperation across various sectors. For instance, African countries have a demand for solutions to modernize infrastructure, as well as educational and medical services, while Russia is prepared to provide a comprehensive proposal for the socio-economic progress of the continent.
"We are witnessing significant growth in interest from Russian businesses towards Africa. For example, in 2020, we supported only 260 exporters to Africa, but in just nine months of this year, the number has exceeded 700. Russian companies are increasingly getting to know the market, the peculiarities of the local mentality, and the specifics of doing business in Africa, gradually establishing themselves on the continent. It is also worth noting the rapid population growth of this beautiful continent—by the most modest Western estimates, by 2050, one in five people on Earth will be African," remarked Israfil Ali-Zade, head of the Middle East and Africa sector at the Russian Export Center.
In particular, advanced Russian technologies that strengthen the technological sovereignty of states open up significant export opportunities to Africa. For instance, Russian developments in the field of cybersecurity, which are considered some of the best in the world, are already being applied in African countries.
Sharing their experiences of working on the continent were Andrey Bedran, Technical Director of the International Business Department at Positive Technologies, and Yuri Saprygin, co-founder and commercial director of Liston, a company producing medical laboratory equipment.
The solutions offered by the company Smart Block, which developed a technology for the rapid construction of houses, are in high demand in Africa. Tatiana Stepanova, Director of International Development at Smart Block, spoke about how to advance and build interpersonal contacts in the African market.
Finally, Alexey Sapozhnikov, CEO of the consulting company "Sapozhnikov and Partners," shared with the audience the peculiarities of legal regulation for doing business in Africa.
The speakers from the African side included: Eric Monchi Itong, Acting Managing Director of the Client Relationship Group at Afreximbank; Zodwa Mogami Slausi, founder and CEO, and Chair of the South African organization Ladies in the Frontline; Burkhima Sangare, CEO of BTR-Minerva (Russian-Burkina Faso Cooperation Club); Joselin-Patrick Mandzela, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Congo in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region; Lawrence Avuku Boateng, President of the Ghana-Russia Business Council; and Marius de Bruin, Director of Development at Logic PTY LTD.
The organizer of the International Export Forum "Made in Russia" is the Russian Export Center (part of VEB.RF). General partners include EKSAR and ROSSEKSMBANK. The partner of the business program is the Government of Moscow. The operator of the forum's business program is the Roscongress Foundation.
During the expert session titled "How to Avoid Mistakes When Returning to Alkebulan," participants examined the prospects for developing bilateral cooperation and specific areas for joint work, the current geopolitical situation and its impact on Russia's interactions with the continent, as well as discussed pressing business issues, including logistics, finding reliable partners, and mutual settlements.
Many guests noted with satisfaction that the organizers used the term "Alkebulan"—one of the names for Africa used by Africans themselves and increasingly becoming popular among representatives of the youngest continent, instead of the conventional toponym "Africa." The term is employed to support a common neo-anticolonial discourse and the independence of African states.
The moderators of the session were Lyubov Demidova, chairwoman of the "Strategic Agency for Developing Relations with African Countries," and Edward Chesnokov, an international journalist and deputy editor of the international politics section.
"Africa is not only about grand economic prospects and vibrant cultures but sometimes also about sorrow. Fortunately, in the last decade, a new bright chapter in Africa's history has begun, in which Russia has played a significant role," noted Edward Chesnokov, emphasizing the increasing importance of Russian-African cooperation.
All participants in the discussion noted the growing mutual interest in developing cooperation across various sectors. For instance, African countries have a demand for solutions to modernize infrastructure, as well as educational and medical services, while Russia is prepared to provide a comprehensive proposal for the socio-economic progress of the continent.
"We are witnessing significant growth in interest from Russian businesses towards Africa. For example, in 2020, we supported only 260 exporters to Africa, but in just nine months of this year, the number has exceeded 700. Russian companies are increasingly getting to know the market, the peculiarities of the local mentality, and the specifics of doing business in Africa, gradually establishing themselves on the continent. It is also worth noting the rapid population growth of this beautiful continent—by the most modest Western estimates, by 2050, one in five people on Earth will be African," remarked Israfil Ali-Zade, head of the Middle East and Africa sector at the Russian Export Center.
In particular, advanced Russian technologies that strengthen the technological sovereignty of states open up significant export opportunities to Africa. For instance, Russian developments in the field of cybersecurity, which are considered some of the best in the world, are already being applied in African countries.
Sharing their experiences of working on the continent were Andrey Bedran, Technical Director of the International Business Department at Positive Technologies, and Yuri Saprygin, co-founder and commercial director of Liston, a company producing medical laboratory equipment.
The solutions offered by the company Smart Block, which developed a technology for the rapid construction of houses, are in high demand in Africa. Tatiana Stepanova, Director of International Development at Smart Block, spoke about how to advance and build interpersonal contacts in the African market.
Finally, Alexey Sapozhnikov, CEO of the consulting company "Sapozhnikov and Partners," shared with the audience the peculiarities of legal regulation for doing business in Africa.
The speakers from the African side included: Eric Monchi Itong, Acting Managing Director of the Client Relationship Group at Afreximbank; Zodwa Mogami Slausi, founder and CEO, and Chair of the South African organization Ladies in the Frontline; Burkhima Sangare, CEO of BTR-Minerva (Russian-Burkina Faso Cooperation Club); Joselin-Patrick Mandzela, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Congo in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region; Lawrence Avuku Boateng, President of the Ghana-Russia Business Council; and Marius de Bruin, Director of Development at Logic PTY LTD.
The organizer of the International Export Forum "Made in Russia" is the Russian Export Center (part of VEB.RF). General partners include EKSAR and ROSSEKSMBANK. The partner of the business program is the Government of Moscow. The operator of the forum's business program is the Roscongress Foundation.