Addis Ababa, July 13, 2023 (FBC) – A preliminary roundtable of the upcoming Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum held in Addis Ababa on Wednesday in attendance of representatives of state authorities, the business community, non-profit organizations, scientific and educational circles, Russian and Ethiopian youth, profile experts, and Ethiopian graduates of Soviet and Russian universities.
On the occasion, Russian and Ethiopian companies gave presentations on potential areas of cooperation between Russia and Africa in agriculture, digitization and decarburization.
In particular, the current state of agriculture in Africa and various aspects of the potential use of Russian leading fertilizer and melioration solutions, as well as digital platforms to strengthen national economies and build education systems were discussed.
In his video message on the event, Chairman of the African Energy Chamber NJ Ayuk stressed the need to intensifying Russian-African cooperation in the gas sector and related areas.
NJ Ayuk stated explained that green technologies are also potential areas in which Russia and the African continent can forge deeper cooperation.
He stated that Africa has the largest market suitable for Russian green technology firms, calling investees to explore opportunities in the continent.
Head of African International Cooperation Department for African Countries Division at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, Ilya Nesterov, for his part, addressed key issues facing Russian and African business communities, including the lack of information, the challenges of customs liberalization, tax and visa regime.
He also highlighted the importance of the development of new logistic routes, interregional interaction, and improving financial infrastructure to address the challenges.
Chairman of Coordinating Committee for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AFROCOM), Igor Morozov, stated that Africa is a key partner of Russia in the new multipolar world.
“We are closely monitoring how quickly and how fast African nations are gaining economic sovereignty and digital transformation,” Morozov said, adding that more than 700 million of the 1.3 billion Africans are young and this presents a great opportunity.
In Russia the years 2022-2031 are declared the decade of science and technology. Our country pays special attention to the transfer of Russian technologies and education to Africa, Ambassador of Russian Federation to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin said.
Russian is committed to deepen its cooperation with African nations in the field of security, medicine, biodiversity, geology and processing of minerals, energy, construction, transport, ecology, agriculture and water resources, space, aviation and automotive industry, information technologies and the humanities, Ambassador Evgeny said.
“In the near future, with our active assistance, the issue of the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 will be resolved. This will allow the continent to fully participate in the formation of the international agenda and in the mechanisms of global governance,”
“I am convinced that the upcoming summit will strengthen the Russian-African strategic partnership, set the development vector for the entire range of relations with the African continent,” the Ambassador added.
Close to 200 participants from more than 30 countries joined the online event.
By Wondesen Aregahegn