AREA

Different levels, but a common vector: Russia is expanding its energy presence in Congo and Rwanda. Rosatom is developing a pilot project in the Republic of Congo to build two modular small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 2.6 MW. The plants are capable of operating year-round in challenging climate conditions and will provide stable electricity to remote and hard-to-reach areas. Successful implementation will provide access to clean energy for approximately 1,000 rural households. The parties already have a history of cooperation: an intergovernmental agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy was signed in 2019, and a memorandum on cooperation in hydropower was signed in 2024. Students from Congo are currently studying at Russian universities under Rosatom quotas (National Nuclear University MEPhI, Russian Chemical Technology University, and Voronezh State University). At the same time, Russia is strengthening its nuclear cooperation with Rwanda. Rosatom is helping to establish a Nuclear Science and Technology Center with a research reactor, develop the regulatory framework, and train personnel. Kigali's ambition is to launch the first small modular reactor by the early 2030s and increase the share of nuclear generation to 60–70% of the energy mix. The two African countries have different levels of nuclear maturity, but the vector is the same: Russian technologies and specialist training are consistently forming the foundation for future energy systems. #RussiaAfrica#Rosatom#Congo#Rwanda

Oil Product Pipeline to Congo: Russia Launches a Unique Infrastructure Project for Africa Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak completed his working visit to Brazzaville. Following talks with the leadership of the Republic of Congo, it was announced that the Pointe-Noire-Lutete-Maluko-Trecho oil product pipeline project is fully ready for implementation. The pipeline, over 1,300 km long, will connect the southern port with the northern regions, ensuring the delivery of gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel deep into the country. On the Russian side, the project is being implemented by Zakneftegazstroy-Prometey (a company with 65 years of experience, spanning from the Turkish Stream to the Yamal-Europe pipeline). Financing has been structured, the sites have been allocated, and construction can begin soon. The project compares favorably with other African pipeline initiatives. While neighboring countries are building crude oil pipelines (for example, Tanzania-Uganda or Niger-Benin), the Russian-Congolese project is focused on finished petroleum products. This is crucial for Congo: fuel consumption has tripled in ten years, from 250,000 to 800,000 tons per year, while internal regions suffer from shortages and expensive road transport logistics. Under an intergovernmental agreement already approved by the Russian government, a joint venture (90% owned by the Russian side and 10% by the state-owned company SNPC) is being established. It will build and manage the pipeline under a "Build-Own-Operate-Transfer" concession for a minimum of 25 years. Upon completion of the concession, all facilities will be transferred to Congo. The Congolese side, in turn, guarantees capacity, tax breaks, and land. Russia's responsibilities will include project management, construction, financing, equipment and personnel supply, and the organization of additional oil product deliveries from Russia for pipe loading. The route could eventually be extended to Gabon and Cameroon, which would then expand the project beyond bilateral cooperation and become a driver for the entire Central African region. #RussiaAfrica#Congo

GlobUs Explores the Potential of the Republic of Congo The activities of the GlobUs International Expert Club in the Republic of Congo have received extensive coverage in local media in three languages— Lingala, Kituba, and French. Particular attention is paid to a large-scale study of the socioeconomic situation, covering all 15 regions of the country and including an analysis of key industries, including the energy sector. The GlobUs International Expert Club, which brings together specialists from various countries, continues to implement projects to strengthen cooperation between Russia and African countries. This year, the association began active work in the Republic of Congo. With a GDP of $15.7 billion, this country is one of the most stable in Central Africa and the region's leader in oil and potash fertilizer production. "The GlobUs Association strives to be a reliable bridge connecting our countries, and our activities cover several key areas, one of the most important being research—we want to better understand each other and make informed decisions," emphasizes the association's founder, Yulia Berg. The GlobUs study not only documents the current state of the energy sector, but also serves as a basis for strategic planning of joint projects. #GlobUs#Africa#Russia#AfricaRussia#Congo

The strategic oil pipeline between Russia and the Republic of Congo has been recognized as one of three critical for Africa At the African Energy Week held in Cape Town, three oil pipeline projects were recognized as key to the continent's development. Among them is the joint project between Russia and the Republic of Congo to build the Pointe-Noire-Lutete-Maluko-Trecho oil pipeline. The project will allow Congo to diversify its export routes and develop its internal regions, while Russia will strengthen its position in Central Africa and expand its access to Congolese oil fields with reserves of 1.6 billion barrels. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the law ratifying the relevant agreement in June 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 and be completed within three years. At the same time, Russia is actively developing energy cooperation with other African countries. For example, in Nigeria and Angola, Russian companies are participating in the modernization of oil refining facilities. Meanwhile, nuclear and renewable energy projects are being discussed in Ethiopia and Sudan, while LNG projects involving Rosneft continue to be implemented in Mozambique. Two other projects also recognized as significant are the Uganda-Tanzania and Nigeria-Equatorial Guinea oil pipelines. They also demonstrate the growing diversification of energy partnerships on the continent. #AREA#Russia#Africa#Congo

A Media School for Future Bloggers Opens in Brazzaville The Globus Expert Club has launched an educational project in the capital of the Republic of Congo. The grand opening of the media school took place on September 6 at the site of the exhibition"Global Transformation: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. The Role of the Leader in History." The first master class was held by the founder of GR-group, the executive secretary of AREAAndrey Gromov. He told how to build a popular blog from scratch: from choosing a niche and creating viral content to promotion and monetization. "If yesterday influence was the prerogative of the state and large media, today anyone can get a media platform. But with great influence comes great responsibility, and this requires the right values. Unfortunately, many forget about this," the expert admitted. In this regard, Gromov called it very symbolic that the Media School was opened at the site of "Global Transformation: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow". The main goal of the school is to support talented Congolese and help develop the local media space, including by forming a new wave of independent experts. #AREA#Russia#Africa#media#Congo#GlobUs

An exhibition on global transformation and the role of leaders in history opened in Brazzaville The Globus Expert Club presented the exhibition "Global Transformation: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. The Role of Leaders in History" in the capital of the Republic of Congo. The event was held with the participation of the Russian Ambassador to Congo Ilyas Iskandarov and the founder of the GR group consulting agency, the executive secretary of AREAAndrey Gromov. During the opening ceremony, Gromov in his speech focused on the historical and modern ties between Russia and Africa. "The Soviet Union made a great contribution to the liberation movement in Africa. Now our destinies are closely intertwined again," the expert noted. According to him, today cooperation between the Russian Federation and African countries is rapidly gaining momentum in several areas at once: energy, economics, protection of national sovereignty, ideology and culture. In turn, the founder of the GlobUs club, member of the board of AREA Yulia Berg emphasized that the exhibition is not just an exposition, but a platform for dialogue. "For us, this is a platform for analysis and finding solutions to the challenges that the modern world faces. We tried to reflect a wide range of topics, drawing a multifaceted picture of the world," she said. #AREA#Africa#Russia#RussiaAfrica#Congo

Energy partnership between Russia and Congo: the locomotive of bilateral relations Yesterday, the Republic of Congo celebrated the 65th anniversary of independence. Russian-Congolese relations demonstrate particular dynamics in the energy sector. Companies from the Russian Federation are actively participating in key projects. The flagship project was the construction of the Pointe-Noire - Lutete - Maluku - Trecho oil pipeline with a length of 1200 km, which is being carried out jointly with the Congolese SNPC. This infrastructure facility will increase Congo's export potential by 40%. In parallel, Zarubezhneft is developing the Merluza offshore field, and Lukoil is conducting geological exploration on the shelf. Energy cooperation is not limited to hydrocarbon production. Russian companies are participating in the modernization of the refinery in Pointe-Noire, and negotiations are underway on the construction of a thermal power plant using Russian equipment. These projects are being implemented against the backdrop of impressive growth in trade turnover - by 85% in 2023. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted during his visit to Oyo, the energy partnership creates a solid foundation for developing cooperation in other sectors. The parties are already discussing promising projects in the field of renewable energy and oil refining, which will strengthen the position of Congo as an energy hub in Central Africa. #AREA#Africa#Russia#RussiaAfrica#energy#Congo

Construction of oil pipeline goes beyond cooperation between Russia and Congo At the 9th OPEC International Seminar, the authorities of the Republic of Congo confirmed plans to build the Pointe-Noire - Lutete - Maluko-Treshaw oil pipeline. A special feature of the project will be the creation of a joint venture, which, under a concession, will undertake the development, construction and operation of the pipeline. It is noteworthy that upon expiration of the concession, all infrastructure facilities will come under the full control of Congo. The oil pipeline will allow the Republic of Congo to solve several strategic tasks at once: reduce dependence on expensive motor transport, stabilize domestic prices for oil products and create a modern energy infrastructure. Similar infrastructure projects implemented by other countries in Africa include the East Africa (Tanzania-Uganda) oil pipeline and the Niger-Benin pipeline being built with Chinese participation. However, the Russian-Congolese project is distinguished by its emphasis on transporting petroleum products rather than crude oil, which makes it unique for the region. Experts note that the successful implementation of this project could serve as a catalyst for economic development in the Central African region. Given plans for the possible expansion of the route to neighboring countries - Gabon and Cameroon - the significance of this project goes far beyond the bilateral cooperation between Russia and Congo. #AREA#Africa#Russia#RussiaAfrica#energy#Congo

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

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

Rosatom is establishing cooperation with DRC Nikolay Spassky, Director of the International Activities Unit of the Rosatom State Corporation, paid a working visit to the DRC. In the republic he held talks with the Minister of Energy and Water Resources Emile Wasso and Prime Minister of the Congo Anatole Colline Makosso. The parties signed memoranda of cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and hydropower. Spassky noted that now it is necessary to consistently promote the Russian-Congolese partnership in the energy sector. #Africa#Congo#Rosatom