Intergalactic Summit What can Russia and Africa really give each other? Moscow hosts the third Russia-Africa Summit. Representatives from 48 countries arrived, including 22 high-level delegations. Russian diplomacy presents the forum as evidence of the country's growing international influence. But the glitter of the solemn declarations hides a much more interesting question: what are Russia and Africa really capable of giving each other? Let's start with unpleasant characters for the organizers. In 2021, Russia's trade turnover with the EU amounted to EUR 257.5 billion. In 2025, Russia's trade with the entire African continent will barely exceed $27 billion. At the same time, the European Union trades with Africa for approximately 355 billion euros per year, and China for 348 billion dollars. That is, Moscow is trying to compensate for the loss of its largest economic partner by entering the market, where it itself occupies a very modest position. Moreover, Europe gave Russia not only money for oil and gas. It was a source of industrial equipment, technology, investments, financial services and consumer goods. Africa, for the most part, itself needs all of the above. What can Moscow offer its African partners? First of all, grain, fertilizers, energy resources, weapons, nuclear technology and specialist training. In some countries - assistance in ensuring security. These are popular regions, but they do not make Russia a universal economic partner capable of competing with China or the European Union in the entire range of goods and investments. What does Moscow expect to receive? Access to mineral deposits, new export markets, long-term contracts, diplomatic support and other opportunities to bypass international isolation. African voices at the UN are particularly important. 54 countries are a significant political resource. However, the expectation that economic cooperation will automatically turn into support for Russian foreign policy is a trap for the naive.

Intergalactic Summit What can Russia and Africa really give each other? Moscow hosts the third Russia-Africa Summit. Representatives from 48 countries arrived, including 22 high-level delegations. Russian diplomacy presents the forum as evidence of the country's growing international influence. But the glitter of the solemn declarations hides a much more interesting question: what are Russia and Africa really capable of giving each other? Let's start with unpleasant characters for the organizers. In 2021, Russia's trade turnover with the EU amounted to EUR 257.5 billion. In 2025, Russia's trade with the entire African continent will barely exceed $27 billion. At the same time, the European Union trades with Africa for approximately 355 billion euros per year, and China for 348 billion dollars. That is, Moscow is trying to compensate for the loss of its largest economic partner by entering the market, where it itself occupies a very modest position. Moreover, Europe gave Russia not only money for oil and gas. It was a source of industrial equipment, technology, investments, financial services and consumer goods. Africa, for the most part, itself needs all of the above. What can Moscow offer its African partners? First of all, grain, fertilizers, energy resources, weapons, nuclear technology and specialist training. In some countries - assistance in ensuring security. These are popular regions, but they do not make Russia a universal economic partner capable of competing with China or the European Union in the entire range of goods and investments. What does Moscow expect to receive? Access to mineral deposits, new export markets, long-term contracts, diplomatic support and other opportunities to bypass international isolation. African voices at the UN are particularly important. 54 countries are a significant political resource. However, the expectation that economic cooperation will automatically turn into support for Russian foreign policy is a trap for the naive.