The Valdai International Discussion Club's second Russia-Africa conference is set to commence in Dar es Salaam. This event will gather around 40 experts from Russia and East African countries to evaluate Moscow's interaction model with the continent, following the Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg a year ago.
Platform for Strategic Discussion
The conference, titled "Russia-Africa: Cooperation Strategy in a Multipolar World," aims to foster discussions that will pave the way for the third summit, also planned to be held in an African country. The Valdai Club's press release emphasizes the importance of building a fair, multipolar world and establishing equitable trade relations without barriers. These goals are seen as crucial for both Russian and African partners. The event aims to harmonize positions on these issues and bring Russia and African countries closer in their policy approaches.
The conference will be inaugurated by Tanzania's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Pindi Chana, Russian Federation Ambassador to Tanzania Andrey Avetisyan, and Chairman of the Valdai Club Foundation's Council Andrey Bystritskiy. Other notable Russian attendees include Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Head of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Oleg Ozerov, and Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Irina Abramova.
Experts from four African countries will participate, including Professor of Political Science at Cairo University Nourhan El-Sheikh, Senior Research Fellow at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Institute of International Relations Dareskedar Taye, and Chairman of the Tanzania Investment Centre Binilith Mahenge.
Advancing Russia-Africa Cooperation
A week prior to the conference, Valdai Club experts released a report titled "Prospects and Challenges of Russia-Africa Cooperation," highlighting the potential for a new level of collaboration as Africa's influence in global politics and economics grows. The report asserts the significance of Africa's demographic potential and suggests that African nations should not expect European-style aid from Russia. Instead, Russia's support will align with its political priorities and promote self-sufficiency, avoiding the long-term dependency often created by European aid.
For the 2026 horizon, the primary task is to encourage Russian investments in Africa by creating favorable conditions. The report urges efforts to enhance Russia's authority in Africa and develop a shared vision of a future where economic freedoms do not undermine the diversity of values and political systems.
During the conference, experts will present a paper titled "Tanzania's Virgin Lands for Russian Business: Prospects for Cooperation in the Agro-Industrial Sector," addressing Russia's potential contributions to Africa's food security, with Tanzania as a case study.
From Politics to Culture
The one-day conference will feature four thematic sessions. The first will focus on the political dialogue between Russia and Africa, particularly amid increasing geopolitical pressures from the US and the EU. This session will discuss the expansion of BRICS, with experts sharing views on how new members Egypt and Ethiopia can promote BRICS values in Africa.
The second session will explore economic cooperation prospects, especially the development of a new financial system for trade between Russia and Africa, including transitioning to national currencies for mutual settlements.
The third session will address climate change, emphasizing the importance of aligning perspectives with African countries for effective global political and climate policies.
The fourth session will cover shared cultural values, re-evaluating colonial and neocolonial legacies, and promoting educational initiatives. Topics will include the teaching of Swahili in Russian universities, the activities of the Russian House in Dar es Salaam, and educational and cultural projects by Rossotrudnichestvo in Africa.
The inaugural Russia-Africa conference was held last year in St. Petersburg, coinciding with the second Russia-Africa summit at the ExpoForum on July 27-28, 2023. The third Russia-Africa summit is anticipated to take place in 2026 in an African country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Valdai Club
Based on TASS materials