On October 23, the Valdai Discussion Club’s Moscow venue hosted a discussion titled “Russia and Africa: In It for the Long Haul?” Participants discussed the sustainability of Russian-African cooperation, its prospects for the next fifteen to twenty years, and the conditions necessary for the transition from political agreements to long-term practical projects.
Valdai Discussion Club Programme Director Timofei Bordachev, who moderated the discussion, addressed the sustainability of Russia’s presence in Africa. Despite the intensification of interaction in recent years, it is necessary to understand how robust the mechanisms for cooperation have been and what motivates the Russian government, business, and society to devote attention to this distant continent. The upcoming third Russia-Africa Summit provided an opportunity to discuss not only the results achieved but also the long-term prospects for these relations.
Andrey Maslov, Director of the HSE Centre for African Studies, emphasised that Russia’s presence on the continent is not an end in itself: it develops where Russian products, knowledge, and experience meet the needs of its African partners. He believes it is crucial that cooperation not be limited to summits and isolated initiatives, but become a regular practice. Following meetings in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023, interaction has reached a new level: contacts between heads of state, relevant ministries, and business representatives have strengthened.
Maslov noted the growth of mutual trade and the expansion of opportunities for further economic cooperation. The next stage could be more active Russian investment, targeting specific countries and industries where strong partnerships have already been established. He highlighted pharmaceuticals, medicine, and education as promising areas, including the establishment of branches of Russian universities and specialist training centres. However, the development of cooperation depends largely on transportation accessibility, personal contacts, and the ability of the participants to maintain ongoing business dialogue.
Sanusha Naidu, Researcher at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue, emphasised the need to consider the African continent’s internal diversity and dynamics. Africa brings together countries with diverse political systems, economic conditions, and security challenges, so one-size-fits-all approaches to cooperation cannot be equally effective everywhere. The sustainability of partnerships is determined not only by the number of intergovernmental agreements but also by how well they respond to the needs of local societies.
According to Naidu, Africa should not be an object of foreign policy, but an independent participant in decision-making. This is especially important in the context of demographic change, urbanisation, and growing needs for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and employment. A significant youth population creates enormous potential, but also poses challenges for states to provide new jobs and opportunities for professional development. Educational programmes and scholarships alone are not enough: investment, technology transfer, entrepreneurship development, and youth engagement in social and economic life are necessary. Among the promising areas of Russian-African cooperation, Naidoo highlighted agriculture, fertiliser production, food security, infrastructure, science, and technology. The inclusion of African states in global value chains is particularly important: the continent needs to not only export natural resources but also develop processing, manufacturing, and its own technological capabilities. While external partners can facilitate development, they cannot replace internal efforts to strengthen state institutions.
Mikatekiso Kubayi, Senior Researcher at the South African Research Chair on African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, University of Johannesburg, also emphasised that strengthening the independence of African countries must be the foundation of a genuine partnership. External cooperation should not replace the continent’s own efforts to harness its resources and build a sustainable economic base. Industrialisation, industrial development, localisation of production, and the creation of high-value-added goods and services are essential for the transition from an aid-based model to full-fledged trade and economic cooperation.
Kubayi placed particular emphasis on scientific and technological cooperation and the pharmaceutical industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the vulnerability of African states dependent on external supplies of medicines and vaccines. Developing domestic drug production could strengthen both the healthcare system and the continent’s overall security. Russia, with its significant scientific and technological potential, could contribute to the development of relevant competencies and production capabilities.
Kubayi identified the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area as another important condition for economic independence. Realising its potential requires creating regional production chains, improving transport and rail infrastructure, developing air travel, and eliminating barriers to trade. Such changes must be accompanied by job creation and expanded opportunities for the younger generation. Otherwise, economic growth without significant improvements in living conditions could exacerbate social tensions.
Summing up the discussion, participants noted that the prospects for Russia-Africa relations are determined not so much by the scale of political statements as by the ability to build consistent cooperation that meets mutual interests. For Russia, this means developing regular contacts, expanding trade, investment, and technological exchange. For African states, this means the opportunity to leverage partnerships for industrialisation, strengthening their own production base, and addressing socioeconomic challenges.
A long-term Russian-African partnership requires more than just a presence on the continent; it requires joint efforts to develop it. Its sustainability will depend on the willingness of the parties to consider the changing needs of African societies, fulfil their commitments, and support the right of African states to independently determine their own priorities for the future.
The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
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