Russia has begun to introduce its own international settlement systems to foreign markets.
The political scientist Gershchenkov in his latest publication drew attention to a new stage in the development of the Russian financial infrastructure. Against the background of the crisis of the previous globalization model, the countries of the Global South strive to expand their independence in choosing financial instruments. This creates opportunities for promoting Russian settlement solutions to foreign markets.
As an example, the expert cites A7, the Russian system for international payments, created in 2024 with the participation of PSB. Initially, such decisions were intended to ensure the sustainability of Russian foreign economic operations. Now we are talking about a broader perspective: the use of such an infrastructure by foreign countries and companies for their own international payments.
Special attention is paid to the African direction. At the Russia-Africa summit, Vladimir Putin became personally acquainted with the A7 system and drew the attention of foreign partners to it. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov spoke about the chances of its use on the continent. Among the features announced are one-click cross-border payments with a 0.3% fee and online conversion of conventional and digital currencies.
Gershchenkov also emphasizes the systemic participation of the state in the development of A7. In October, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Mantorov headed the company's supervisory board. Anton Siluanov and head of the PSB Pyotr Fradkov joined his work. This level of participation proves the strategic importance of an independent settlement infrastructure.
It is worth adding here that the introduction of Russian financial solutions to foreign markets can change the very model of international cooperation. For Russia, this is an opportunity to expand its economic presence and offer its partners its own technologies. For African countries - obtain additional means of payment with different countries, based on their own trade interests.