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Russia's return to the Libyan oil and gas industry Libya is taking active steps to restore cooperation with Russian companies in the oil and gas sector, which is key to its economy. After the fall of the Gaddafi regime, the presence of foreign companies, including Russian ones, in the Libyan energy sector has significantly decreased. Many contracts were frozen due to chronic political instability, security problems, and the destruction of energy infrastructure. As a representative of the Presidential Council of Libya told TASS, in the context of cooperation with Russia, special emphasis is placed on resuming contracts in the oil and gas sector. He added that this is in the economic interests of both countries. In general, experts note that the successful implementation of plans will require not only political will, but also significant investments in security and project infrastructure. If implemented, these initiatives could become an important step in restoring the Libyan economy and strengthening Russia's position in the region. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia#Libya

Putin ratified the agreement with Congo on the construction of an oil pipeline Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on the ratification of the agreement with the Republic of Congo on the construction of the Pointe Noire - Lutete - Maluko - Trecho oil pipeline. The project is being implemented by a joint venture with the participation of Russia's Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey (90%) and the National Oil Company of Congo (10%). The concession agreement is designed for 25 years with a guaranteed tariff for pumping. Russia will provide the missing volumes of oil products with the involvement of its producers. After the end of the concession period, the pipeline will come under the control of Congo. For Congo, this is a step towards developing infrastructure and reducing dependence on imported fuels and lubricants. However, experts note the risks - a possible financial burden due to guaranteed tariffs and dependence on Russian supplies. The project will become a new point of economic cooperation between Moscow and Brazzaville, but its success will depend on the sustainability of logistics and prices for oil products. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia#Congo

Russian companies consider participation in Ethiopian energy projects Russian energy companies are showing interest in projects in Ethiopia, including modernization of hydroelectric power plants, development of thermal energy and renewable energy sources. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Roman Marshavin following a meeting with the Ambassador of Ethiopia to Russia Genet Teshome Jirru. There are several key areas of cooperation. Thus, the Melka Wakina hydroelectric power station needs modernization; it was built by Soviet specialists in 1988 and now requires a large-scale equipment upgrade. The parties also intend to exchange experience in the field of personnel training, rational use of water resources and geological exploration.Partnership on international platforms, including BRICS and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), is also considered promising. Today, Ethiopia is actively developing the energy sector, focusing on hydropower (thanks to large rivers, including the Blue Nile) and renewable sources. Participation of Russian companies could strengthen thecountry's position in the region. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia#Ethiopia

Russia and Congo launch strategic energy project The Federation Council ratified the agreement between Russia and the Republic of Congo on the construction of the Pointe-Noire-Lutete-Maluko-Trecho oil pipeline, confirming the deepening of economic cooperation between the countries. This project has become another step in strengthening Russia's position in Africa, where Moscow is actively developing energy partnership. According to the document, the parties will create a joint venture with a 90% Russian share. A Russian company (probably Transneft or its subsidiary) will act as the general contractor for the construction. The project will be financed under a concession model with the involvement of commercial investments. The oil pipeline, approximately 300 km long, will connect key points of Congo: Pointe-Noire, the economic capital and main port of the country, as well as Lutete and Maluko-Trecho, important industrial and transport hubs. Once completed, the pipeline will provide stable supplies of petroleum products not only to the Republic of Congo, but also to the neighboring DRC, where demand for fuel continues to grow. In recent years, Russia has concluded a number of similar agreements. These include the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt, Gazprom Neft's participation in the development of fields and the construction of gas pipelines in Nigeria, and support for a floating liquefied natural gas plant project in Mozambique. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia#Congo

Oil, gas, nuclear and renewable energy: Russia and Somalia have work to do On June 2, the Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko and the Chairman of the Senate of Somalia Abdi Hashi Abdullahi discussed the prospects for bilateral cooperation. In her speech, Matviyenko emphasized the historical ties between the countries, recalling the contribution of Soviet specialists to the development of Somalia's infrastructure, and expressed Russia's readiness to expand the partnership in new areas. Cooperation in the energy sector is also considered promising. Recall that in 2022, Somalia invited Russian companies, including Rosneft and Gazprom, to participate in the exploration of oil and gas fields. The country has significant resources (according to experts, they can reach up to 30 billion barrels of oil), but their development is constrained by instability and a lack of infrastructure. In addition, in 2019, Rosatom and the Ministry of Energy of Somalia signed a memorandum on cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. At that time, the parties agreed to jointly train personnel, develop a regulatory framework, and discussed possible projects in the field of nuclear medicine and agriculture. Renewable energy is also on the table. Russian companies such as Hevel are studying solar energy projects. For Somalia, where only a third of the population has access to electricity, renewable energy is a priority. The partnership is beneficial to both parties. It can help Somalia solve the problem of energy shortages, and Russia can strengthen its position in Africa. However, political instability and competition from Turkey, China and the UAE, which are already investing in the country's port infrastructure, are still among the possible risks. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia#Somalia

Representatives of Russia and Africa discussed humanitarian partnership and its successes On May 22, the State Duma hosted the humanitarian forum "Russia-Africa: from implemented projects to new achievements", dedicated to Africa Day. The event was organized by the Expert Council under the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma A.M. Babakov. The plenary session of the forum was preceded by the opening of the exhibition "Humanitarian cooperation Russia-Africa. Mission of good". During the event, the leader of the "A Just Russia" faction Sergey Mironov and the representative of the KPRF faction Nina Ostanina made welcoming remarks. The forum brought together representatives of all factions represented in the State Duma Alexander Babakov opened the plenary session. In his speech, he noted that the Russian Federation is ready to move away from exclusively commodity relations with the continent to relations related to the transfer and joint development of high technologies. In turn, Deputy Director of the Department of Partnership with Africa of the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrey Panyukhov called strong ties in the humanitarian sphere the main guarantee of advancing cooperation between the parties. In particular, projects aimed at young people. Commenting on the training of personnel, First Deputy General Director of Russian Railways Sergey Pavlov reported that the concept of the company's social and humanitarian potential abroad has been approved. Among other things, it includes financial assistance to Russian-language schools and railway lyceums in African countries. Chairman of the Union of African Diasporas in Russia (SADR); President of the Ethiopian Diaspora in Russia Kinfu Zenebe Tafesse pointed out the need to train African doctors in modern medicine. He noted that folk remedies are still widely used in Africa. The pressing issue of direct settlements with the African continent was raised by RT representative Svyatoslav Shchegolev. According to him, as soon as any of the African countries resumes or creates such a system, the company will be among the first to take advantage of it. "This entire broad spectrum shows that in reality the prospects for cooperation that are now opening up before us are very diverse," summed up the discussion member of the Expert Council, CEO of the International Center for Business Promotion Yulia Berg. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia

A large-scale humanitarian forum Russia-Africa will be held in Moscow On May 22, the State Duma will host the humanitarian forum "Russia-Africa: from completed projects to new achievements", organized by the Expert Council under the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Alexander Babakov. The event is timed to coincide with Africa Day and will bring together representatives of government, business, science, the media, as well as African diplomats and public figures. The forum will open with an exhibition "Humanitarian cooperation Russia-Africa. MISSION OF GOOD", and the main discussion will be devoted to summing up the results of joint projects and developing new areas of cooperation. The participants will also focus on the development of educational programs and the training of African specialists in Russian universities. #AREA#Africa#RussiaAfrica#Russia

Speaking of Senegal and the energy crisis in the country Senegal is going through a difficult period in the energy sector. Despite economic growth, the country faces a chronic power shortage caused by outdated infrastructure and ineffective management. The problem was made especially acute by the scandal with the French company Eranove, which, according to the Senegalese Ministry of Finance, underpaid €120 million in taxes for power grid projects in Dakar for 2010-2022. It forgets its defenders and does not pay taxes. In this context, Russia offers Senegal a comprehensive solution. Russian companies are participating in the modernization of thermal power plants (TPP "Kaolack"), supplying equipment for solar energy (SPP in Thiès) and helping to train local personnel. This cooperation opens up prospects for stabilizing the country's energy system. In parallel, Senegal is taking its first steps as an oil-producing state. In April, the country exported 3.8 million barrels of oil from the promising Sangomar field, developed jointly with Australia's Woodside Energy. Overall, production is expected to exceed 30 million barrels in 2025, which could significantly strengthen Senegal's economy and energy independence. With the launch of oil production at Sangomar (30+ million barrels in 2025) and Russian infrastructure projects, Senegal could become a model for a successful energy transition in Africa. However, success will depend on transparent resource management and equitable international cooperation. #AREA#Africa#Senegal#Russia

African soldiers in the Battle of France: forgotten heroes During World War II, tens of thousands of African soldiers, mostly from French colonies, fought to liberate France from the Nazis. They were called the "Senegalese riflemen", although they came from all over sub-Saharan Africa. RT presents a film dedicated to these forgotten heroes. In 1940, about 75,000 African soldiers participated in the defense of France. Half were captured, many were executed by the Nazis due to racial hatred. They liberated Marseille, Lyon, Toulon, fought in Operation Dragoon (1944), but their exploits were rarely mentioned in official history. In November 1944, when France was almost liberated, African soldiers began to be forcibly repatriated. In Dakar, they were met not with gratitude, but with execution. In December 1944, French officers opened fire on demonstrators, killing between 70 and 900 people (the exact number was hidden). France hushed up their contribution for decades. Even veterans' pensions were cut, and archives were censored. Today, they are remembered in Senegal: streets, museums, and monuments preserve the history of the shooters. But in Europe, few know about them. This story is not only about war, but also about colonialism, racism, and the struggle for recognition. African soldiers saved France, but paid for it with blood and oblivion. #AREA#Africa#France

Russian and African journalists discussed the specifics of their craft during geopolitical conflicts On April 29, the Third International Forum of Russian and African Journalists was held at the Lomonosov Moscow State University in Moscow. The event was dedicated to the defenders of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Opening the event, the dean of the faculty of journalism Elena Vartanova pointed out the responsibility of the press for the information they disseminate. In turn, the chairman of the Commission for Relations with Diasporas and the Media of the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University, an expert of the Russia-Africa Council under the State Duma of the Russian Federation Louis Gouend called on journalists to continue covering Russian-African cooperation, introduce Russian residents to Africa and support joint projects. Information work is an important part of the promotion and implementation of projects, including infrastructure ones. The number of media outlets working in this area is rapidly increasing, and new opportunities are being created to cover the economic agenda and the activities of business representatives. #AREA#Russia#Africa#media

Russia and Africa are developing a mechanism for coordinating energy projects Russia and African countries are negotiating the creation of a joint coordination office to manage energy initiatives. This step is aimed at systematizing cooperation in the industry, which remains a key driver of Africa's economic development. As noted by the President of the African Business Club, Louis Gouend, such a structure will speed up the implementation of projects and increase the efficiency of interaction. Russia is showing particular interest in the Sahel countries, where Rosatom's pilot solar energy project is already starting in Mali. As Olga Ukhanova, Acting Deputy Director General of Rosatom Renewable Energy, explained, renewable energy sources (RES) are the optimal solution for quickly covering the energy deficit in the region, where millions of people still do not have access to electricity. The company is considering the possibility of localizing equipment production in Africa. The next stage of cooperation will be the development of a 20-year plan for the modernization of Mali's energy system. This includes calculating the optimal locations for generating capacities and building network infrastructure. This experience can be scaled up to other countries in the region, where demand for affordable energy continues to grow. #AREA#Russia#Africa#business

Small Russian businesses in Africa need support from the big ones Andrey Gromov, Executive Secretary of the Board of the Association of Russian Economists (AREA), took part in the "Circle of Opinions" project, organized by Viktor Vasiliev, an Africanist and political strategist and author of the "Ulybaemsya & Mashem" Telegram channel. The topic of discussion was "Russian business in Africa: potential and limitations". During his speech, Gromov noted that no one is waiting for Russian companies on the African continent "with open arms" and one should not immediately count on super high profits. This is due to both the culture of business relations and the regulatory framework. "In many cases, we simply encounter outrageous facts. When, let's say, construction standards were copied from French ones. In order for our developer to build something that will really stand in the arid conditions of Africa, he simply has to violate the standards prescribed by the law," the expert explained. According to him, it is possible to deal with the barriers that arise today only if the business has a leadership model. "You need to come to the continent and take the initiative. Otherwise, the entry threshold is quite high. And it is difficult for small companies to cope with the barriers that are deliberately left in these countries," Gromov added. The member of the board of the AREA confirmed that the continent is very attractive. However, he warned that in this case it will not be possible to form a working business model in one step. A comprehensive plan with several stages is needed. "These are quite large investment costs, so now this threshold is open to Russian large and medium-sized businesses. And there are niches for them that they could occupy," Gromov noted. The expert expressed the opinion that small businesses need to go with large companies that are working out the main track and paving the way. "Our future is also connected with how effectively and who will jointly develop this large African project, which is now playing in a new way on the world stage. <...> Now is the optimal entry point. I am sure that our large companies will not miss this," the responsible secretary of the AREA summed up. #AREA#Russia#Africa#business