AREA

From Kazan to Cairo: African Specialists Master Russian Technologies At the Energoprom Forum in Kazan, Russian Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Marshavin met with participants of the InteRussia program. Representatives of energy companies and relevant ministries from African countries: Ethiopia, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, and Egypt, are participating in the internship. Each participating country has its own energy sector specifics and its own projects with Russia. Ethiopia, where almost 90% of its energy system relies on hydropower, needs to modernize the Melka Wakina hydroelectric power plant, built by Soviet specialists. Zambia is experiencing an energy crisis due to drought—the largest hydroelectric power plant on Lake Kariba is operating at only 10-20% of its capacity—so the country is actively seeking ways to diversify its generation. Niger, where approximately 20% of the population has access to electricity, is negotiating with Rosatom to build a nuclear power plant. Moroccosigneda cooperation agreement with the Russian Association of Electronics Developers and Manufacturers, paving the way for joint renewable energy projects and infrastructure modernization. Egypt has made further progress. Construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant has entered a key phase, and Rosatom is already producing fuel for it. "The Russian engineering school has traditionally been strong in its fundamental training. Today, our task is to pass on these traditions to our partners, shaping a new generation of specialists," Marshavin noted. #AREA#RussiaAfrica

Energy that Lights Up Continents On International Women's Day, we want to talk not just about spring and flowers, but about the force that truly moves the world. In the energy sector, where every project is a challenge to nature, logistics, and geopolitics, decisions are made at the very limits of possibilities. And here, women surprise again and again. You know how to combine strategy with attention to detail, ambition with the patience to negotiate for years. The Russian-African energy partnership today is more than just fuel supplies or the construction of power plants. It is the creation of infrastructure for a new reality, where people have light, water, and jobs. And women are behind many of these projects — engineers, negotiators, analysts, managers. Those who know how to turn on the light, literally and figuratively. We congratulate everyone who makes energy more accessible and partnerships stronger. May your energy never run dry, and may every project you launch bring you not only kilowatts but also pride in your accomplishments. Happy holiday, dear ladies. Without you, this sector would be just technology. With you, it becomes life. #AREA

🤩 The energy of two continents – in two messaging apps at once. AREA has launched a channel in MAX! Partnership is, above all, dialogue. To make it even more effective and efficient, we are expanding our communication platforms. Find AREA in MAX: https://max.ru/area_eng #AREA#MAX

Amid Records and Deepwater Exploration: Russia Considers Entry into Libyan Oil and Gas Projects Libyan authorities and Russian partners are discussing expansion of its companies' participation in oil and gas projects, including exploration, production, and refining. This was announced following a meeting between Russian Ambassador Aidar Aganin and the Minister of Oil and Gas of the National Unity Government. Russia's interest in Libya coincides with a key moment: in 2025, the country, having produced a record 1.37 million barrels per day, regained its status as Africa's second oil giant after Nigeria. At the same time, production recovery is not the only trend. The industry is increasing gas capacity for the domestic market and preparing for a strategic breakthrough—the country's first-ever deepwater exploration in the Gulf of Sirte. Drilling the first well at a depth of approximately 1,900 meters, scheduled for early 2026, will open access to potentially rich offshore resources. Thus, Libya offers foreign partners a window of opportunity at two levels: participation in the restoration and optimization of existing infrastructure and, more importantly, entry into a fundamentally new deepwater frontier during its development phase. For the Russian companies, this is a chance to gain a foothold in a restored market with unique long-term assets. #AREA#Libya#RussiaAfrica

Nuclear Project Portfolio: Rosatom in Talks with Niger and Ethiopia on Nuclear Power Plant Construction Rosatom is in talks with Niger and Ethiopia on the construction of nuclear power plants, demonstrating a flexible approach to the energy needs of various countries on the continent. Discussions with Niger, where only about 20% of the population has access to electricity, are in the initial stages. The country, which suffers from chronic energy shortages, has proposed that the Russian state corporation consider participating in a nuclear power plant project with a capacity of up to 2 GW. Niamey's interest is supported by a memorandum of understanding signed this summer. In parallel, cooperation with Ethiopia has advanced somewhat further. After signing an action plan at World Atomic Week, the parties have moved on to the stage of establishing working mechanisms and detailed design of the future plant. For Addis Ababa, whose energy system relies on hydropower for almost 90%, nuclear power generation is becoming a tool for diversification and a guarantee of stability. Rosatom is simultaneously developing two key cooperation formats: strategic dialogue with new partners and practical project development. This two-tier approach allows the state corporation to build a longer-term project portfolio. #AREA#RussiaAfrica#Rosatom#Niger#Ethiopia#energy#NPP

From renewable energy to diamond processing: Botswana opens new horizons for cooperation with Russia Botswana sees Russia as a strategic partner for the development of its economy, starting with its fundamental focus – energy. Following talks with Sergey Lavrov, Botswana's Foreign Minister, Fenyo Butale, expressed his willingness to cooperate with Russia in the field of renewable energy (RES), noting the country's "significant expertise and potential" in this area. This cooperation is not an end in itself, but the foundation for large-scale industrialization. Renewable energy is critical to powering future mining, beneficiation, and processing facilities, which Botswana intends to develop with the participation of Russian capital and technology. "We are ready to invite Russian expertise, investors, and companies specializing in rare earth metals... We expect to benefit from Russia's knowledge and expertise in large-scale mining projects," Butale emphasized. The proposal is based on Botswana's significant resource potential. Botswana is a world leader in diamond mining (accounting for approximately one-fifth of global production), and geological data points to promising deposits of rare earth elements, including lithium. More than 80% of the country's territory is covered by detailed geological surveys, creating a transparent basis for investment. Thus, Botswana offers Russia strategic entry into the value chain—from energy supply and geological exploration to the extraction and processing of critical resources. Norilsk Nickel's successful past operations in the country serve as a positive precedent for this new phase of cooperation. #AREA#Russia#Botswana#RussiaAfrica

A Year of Breakthrough Dialogue: How the African-Russian Energy Association Strengthened Bridges between Russia and Africa in 2025 The year is drawing to a close, and for our community, it has been a time of active movement, vibrant dialogue, and laying the foundation for future projects. The African-Russian Energy Association (AREA) has worked on a variety of fronts — from energy strategies to humanitarian bridges. Let's recall the key moments together. Education and Personnel: Investing in Tomorrow We understand that technology is powerless without specialists. Therefore, in 2025, we emphasized the need for personnel training and knowledge sharing: We gave a lecture to students at Belmont University (USA) on the polycentric world and the role of Africa. We participated in roundtable discussions on education reform and energy sector training, reminding everyone that a third of energy industry executives in Africa are graduates of Soviet/Russian universities. Media Bridge: Speaking the Same Language For projects to be successful, they need to be communicated effectively. We actively worked on this information bridge: • Held a roundtable discussion, "Information Bridge: Russia – Africa," in the State Duma with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of parliament, leading media outlets, and African journalists. • Emphasized that PR, GR, and working with the media are essential for any serious project. Dialogue at all levels: from the State Duma to expert clubs AREA became a platform for meaningful discussion: • Participated in the "Russia-Africa" ​​Humanitarian Forum in the State Duma. • Discussed humanitarian policy practices with the Gorchakov Fund. • Analyzed barriers to business and sought models that combine Russian technology with local production in Africa. Research and Cooperation We analyzed over 20 energy projects. Established cooperation with four new countries. We don't just talk about cooperation—we create working tools for it, teach, advise, and act. May our joint projects gain momentum in the coming year 2026, may our dialogue become even more productive, and may the energy of cooperation bring light and development to all our countries! #AREA#Russia#Africa#RussiaAfrica

Atomic Energy, Gas, and Technology: Russia and Algeria Expand Energy Partnership Russia and Algeria are successfully expanding their energy cooperation. According to Russian Ambassador to Algeria Alexey Solomatin, Russian oil and gas companies are ready to supply equipment, maintain infrastructure, and participate in the development of new fields. This is especially important in light of Algeria's plans to increase gas production from 137 to 200 billion cubic meters per year. Since the beginning of 2024 alone, the state-owned company Sonatrach has announced eight major discoveries, creating new opportunities for Russian technology. Algeria is becoming an important hub for Russia's energy presence in Africa. The combination of traditional oil and gas projects with promising areas — from nuclear energy to green hydrogen — creates the foundation for a long-term partnership. In addition to Algeria, more than ten countries have announced their intention to build nuclear power plants, including Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, with whom Rosatom is already in negotiations. #AREA#RussiaAfrica#Algeria#energy

Complex Approach as a Foundation for Energy Partnership The G20 participants adopted a joint declaration, highlighting massive energy crisis in Africa. At the same time, the situation offers opportunities for international cooperation. The G20 summit in Johannesburg noted that over 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, with the average electricity supply on the continent being only 40%. At the same time, approximately one billion people are forced to use unsustainable cooking methods, leading to 2 million premature deaths annually. Against this backdrop, Russia's energy partnership with African countries is particularly significant. In particular, the construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant in Egypt—the continent's second nuclear power plant—is coming to the forefront. Last week, Presidents Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi launched installation of the reactor vessel, marking the beginning of the project's key phase. The Russian leader emphasized that the plant will strengthen Egypt's energy security. At the same time, Rosatom signed an agreement with the Egyptian side for the purchase and production of nuclear fuel for the plant. The corporation reported that production of the first batch of fuel for the initial loading of the first power unit has already begun. Thus, Russia is once again demonstrating a comprehensive approach to cooperation—from education and infrastructure construction to fuel cycle support and maintenance. #AREA#RussiaAfrica#Egypt#Energy

Energy Dialogue amid Political Turmoil Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin held a working meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Siteni Randrianasaloniaiko. These negotiations were the first in this sector since the change of power in the country. The parties focused on cooperation in the electric power sector. This is a priority for Madagascar, where access to electricity remains critically low — only 25% of the population. The Russian side has the expertise to implement comprehensive projects to develop generation and grid infrastructure. At the same time, the possibility of cooperation in other sectors of the fuel and energy sector was also discussed. The negotiations took place at a time when Madagascar is interested in attracting foreign investors to the energy sector. Oil field development projects are also considered promising. Madagascar is unable to organize them independently, creating potential opportunities for foreign companies, including Russian ones. #AREA#RussiaAfrica#Madagascar#energy

Russia has offered to assist Africa in electrification of the continent. Russia is ready to participate in a large-scale electrification program for Africa, which is being compared to the Soviet GOELRO plan. This statement was made by Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Marshavin at Russian Energy Week in Moscow. According to the deputy minister, Russia can offer expertise in developing power grids and nuclear energy. This is especially relevant in light of Africa's growing population. "The UN predicts that by 2050, every second child in the world will be born in Africa, and after 2100, it will likely be the only growing region. Accordingly, GDP growth and demand, including for energy, will continue there," Marshavin explained. The African electrification plan is expected to increase the continent's generating capacity from 260 to 1,300 gigawatts. While funding remains a key challenge, Moscow is prepared to develop partnerships with African financial institutions to address this need. #AREA#Russia#Africa#RussiaAfrica

Russia and Africa to Discuss Cooperation in the Arts at Moscow Forum On October 17, a roundtable discussion,"Dialogues in Art and Culture: Russia-Africa," will be held at the Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery as part of the business program of the Russia-Africa Expo 2025 international forum. The event will bring together ambassadors extraordinary from African countries, including Ghana, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as rectors of leading art universities, museum directors, and representatives of public organizations. Forum participants will discuss four key areas: preserving Africa's cultural heritage, developing inter-museum cooperation, prospects for cultural tourism, and historical aspects of Russian-African relations. Particular attention will be paid to practical issues, such as the creation of joint cultural centers, the development of art tourism, and cooperation in the creative industries. #AREA#Russia#Africa#RussiaAfrica