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What is essential to develop cooperation between Russia and Africa? On October 16, the First International B2B Business Forum Rusafro Expo 2024 was held, during which representatives of government, business and state corporations from Russia and African countries discussed the development and strengthening of Russian-African cooperation, including in the field of trade. Andrey Gromov, member of the Board of AREA, founder of the GR-Group consulting agency, named the main missing link for realizing the continent's resource potential: "Africa's potential cannot be effectively used without creating its own industrial facilities and processing enterprises. And this is impossible without development of energy. Therefore, following the results of the first Russia-Africa summit, we decided to create an association of Russian manufacturers of energy equipment, Russian suppliers of energy services, AREA (African–Russian Energy Association)." The association embraces various companies that offer a wide range of management services, building network complexes, creating macro-projects, projects in gas generation, solar and wind energy are actively developing. Representatives of AREA also offer flexible solutions for payment system, including barter schemes, the expert added. "Africa is already showing high rates of economic growth, although there is no high industrial production on the continent. However, if we engage in the development of energy and, accordingly, industry, then the growth rate will increase by a multiple of 5-10 times," Gromov concluded. In addition, Anatoly Bashkin, Director of the Africa Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated Russia's full support for Africa's aspirations to strengthen economic sovereignty. "Russia, as a country with solid potential and sufficient competencies in various fields of the economy, modern technologies, is ready to share its best practices, knowledge and experience with African friends, and carry out mutually beneficial trade interactions," the diplomat noted. #AREA#Russiafrica#RusAfroExpo2024