Programme

Russia–Africa

25 May , 16:30–17:45
Business Dialogue
Pavilion G, Conference Hall G1

Russia has reinforced its commitment to strategic cooperation with the African continent, and trade and economic relations are on the rise between the two regions, with Africa becoming an increasingly attractive and easy place to do business. Forty-four countries on the continent have recently signed a historic agreement to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The signatories include major economies such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Algeria, Morocco, and others. Should all 55 African countries become members of the AfCFTA, this would lead to the emergence of a single African market with a population of 1.2 billion people and GDP of over USD 2 trillion. According to estimates, removing customs barriers and eliminating other obstacles for business through AfCFTA will increase trade within Africa by at least 50% by 2022. What is Russia’s proposition to its African colleagues in this rapidly changing environment? How can relations, which have historically been based on friendship, support, and mutual understanding, synthesize into a modern business policy and help Russia compete with an active China, a growing India, and exacting European partners? What new technologies and instruments can both sides apply to effectively realize the potential and meet their mutual interests?

Moderator
Nataliya Zaiser, Chair of the Board, Africa Business Initiative UNION; Public Policy Advisor, Squire Patton Boggs Moscow Office

Panellists
Jose Condugua Antonio Pacheco, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Mozambique
Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa
Nikolai Zelenski, Chief Executive Officer, Nordgold
Boris Ivanov, Managing Director, GPB Global Resources
Dmitry Konyaev, Chief Executive Officer, URALCHEM JSC
Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union Commission
Charles Robertson, Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital
Svetlana Sagaydak, General Director, Bid Committee, Expo 2025
Faustin Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic
Tigran Khudaverdyan, General Director, Yandex.Taxi
George Elombi, Executive Vice President, African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Front row participant
Alexander Polyakov, Director, Research and Design Institute of Urban Transport of Moscow (MosgortransNIIproject SUE)

Broadcast