Putin presents Russia as Africa’s best partner
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Club of Mozambique and TimesLIVE
Vladimir Putin presented Russia as Africa’s best partner at the third Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, accusing Western countries of exploiting the continent and indebting it, according to Reuters and TimesLIVE. The summit brings together delegations from 48 countries, including 22 African leaders; Putin said Russia had supplied Africa with 13 million tonnes of agricultural products in nine months and that about 40,000 Africans were studying at Russian universities, according to both media outlets.
Putin said Russia was ready to share its expertise, particularly in digital technology, and to localise the processing of raw materials to create jobs and tax revenues. He also said Moscow supported greater African influence at the IMF and the World Bank and was willing to launch joint transport infrastructure and agricultural projects, according to TimesLIVE.
Russia was also ready to supply grain and fertiliser to more African countries than the 40 currently receiving them, Putin added, according to TimesLIVE. The summit, first held in 2019, is part of Moscow’s efforts to strengthen its political, economic and military influence in Africa, particularly in mining and electricity generation, TimesLIVE reports.
