Anton Kobyakov: Russia no longer sees Africa as distant
Africa no longer seems like a distant continent to Russia: today, our country and African states are returning to traditional forms of cooperation and intend to develop them on mutually beneficial terms. This was stated by Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov at the National Centre RUSSIA. During a meeting with journalists, he reviewed the outcomes of the Eighth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and the Third Russia–Africa Summit, which brought together representatives of Russia and African countries to discuss key areas of cooperation. More than 3,500 representatives from 74 countries took part in the events. The Roscongress Foundation operated the Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
According to Anton Kobyakov, while Africa is once again becoming an arena of competition for markets, resources and political advantage for the West, Russia seeks to return to the traditional partnership-based forms of cooperation that worked effectively in the twentieth century.
"This approach is based on mutual cooperation and the opportunity to share and exchange expertise and technologies for common progress. Africans know this very well, as was frequently mentioned at the Forum over these past few days. We have always respected African states' right to pursue their own interests and choose their partners. No one can accuse our country of doing otherwise at different stages of its history, whether in the Soviet era or in modern Russia — there are simply no such examples. In the 1960s, the USSR supported Africans in their struggle against Western colonialism. Today, continuing this great endeavour, Russia helps African countries stand firm against Western neocolonialism," noted Anton Kobyakov.
He added that Africa is rapidly increasing its geoeconomic potential, a process that has coincided with Russia's substantial return to the continent: "It is very important that Africa is playing an increasingly prominent role in many integration processes. These are developing without the West's involvement and, in some cases, despite its actions."
The Presidential Adviser also addressed the transition from bilateral forms of cooperation to broad, systematic engagement across the continent through interstate organisations. According to him, virtually all global economic, demographic and geopolitical trends are closely linked to Africa, primarily through logistics. Anton Kobyakov emphasised that the key route from Europe to East Asia passes through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea and along the Horn of Africa. However, the situation around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is making the route around Africa particularly important for global logistics. As a result, he said, the role of the African BRICS members, South Africa and Egypt, is growing, while global trade and logistics depend to a considerable extent on stability in African countries.
Demographics was another key topic of his address. The Presidential Adviser recalled that, according to UN estimates, Africa's population could increase by 80% to reach 2.2 billion by 2054. However, he said, population growth becomes an economic advantage only with sufficient investment in human capital — education, jobs and infrastructure — alongside measures to ensure public health and epidemiological safety and combat dangerous infections such as Ebola, cholera, malaria and others.
Participants in the meeting also discussed education and workforce training, military-technical cooperation and the development of nuclear energy as key areas of cooperation. Describing Africa as "a continent of great opportunities", Anton Kobyakov also emphasised the importance of developing humanitarian ties, scientific exchanges and joint high-tech projects between Russia and African countries.
During the briefing, Anton Kobyakov noted African partners' interest in developing concrete cooperation with Russia.
"If we compare the outcomes of the three summits, this one can be described as the most productive in terms of moving towards the practical implementation of joint initiatives. The agreements signed demonstrate the parties' willingness to develop specific projects. Today, African states are interested in technology transfer, industrial cooperation, the development of energy and transport infrastructure, and training their national workforces. Russian businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, have considerable potential to expand their presence in the African market. We will continue this work, including at the anniversary 30th St Petersburg International Economic Forum in 2027," noted Anton Kobyakov.
The Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum are being held in Moscow on 28–29 October. The event's main aim is to expand trade, economic, scientific, technological and humanitarian cooperation, develop payments in alternative currencies, and ensure technological sovereignty, food security and energy security. A joint declaration and a new medium-term partnership action plan are expected to be adopted at the conclusion of the Summit.
