Summary of the Russia-Africa Summit

The Russia-Africa summit was held in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi with the intent of bringing Russia closer to Africa. The summit promised;

•     political and diplomatic support
•     defence and security help
•     Economic assistance
•     disease-control advice
•     humanitarian-relief assistance
•     educational and vocational training
  
  

The summit was the first of its kind between Russia and Africa. The summit had 43 African leaders and over 3 000 businessmen from the continent in attendance.

The summit was seen as Russia's attempt at getting back into the content after a decade's long absence. Africa was split according to the cold war divide and was a fertile place for Leninism and Marxism for African intellectuals who were looking for social systems that would make their nations work. Many African countries got support for their independence fights from Russia. But Russia's presence and influence wained after the fall of the Soviet Union. 

Mining and energy are areas in which Russia can provide expertise to Africa. Africa is rich in minerals, and Russia needs manganese, bauxite, and chromium for its industries, which are facing a shortage. Russian energy giants Gazprom, Lukoil, Rostec, and ROSATOM, can already be found in a couple of African countries like Uganda, Nigeria, and Angola. In 2020, it will build Egypt's first nuclear plant.



Russian government forces and private security companies have provided military support in the Central African Republic, Mozambique, and Sudan. Countries such as Mali and Mauritania have also roped in Russia to assist in combatting terrorist groups, like the Islamic State (ISIS). Security is a concern for a lot of African leaders, and Russia is expected to offer military assistance, security agreements, and training programs.

Russia’s trade with Africa has almost tripled from $5.7 billion in 2009 to $20 billion in 2018. Although the progress is remarkable, it is dwarfed by China, which traded $200 billion, and the EU, which traded over €300 billion in goods in 2018 alone. 

Arms sales are Russia's biggest export to Africa. Russian arms sales to Africa stood at 39% in 2017 compared to China (17%) and the US (11%). Between 2017 and 2018, Russia sold fighter jets, combat, and transport helicopters, anti-tank missiles, and engines for fighter planes to the governments of Angola, Nigeria, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea.

The deals that Russia has on offer come with no "political or other" interference, a dig at Chinese and Western influence in African governments matters. Although African governments may be pleased to hear this, it does not sit well with Africa's young, restless population. Watching heads of state and government officials toying with Russian military weapons has already seared a negative image of the relationship.

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