Why does Russia need Africa?

In recent years, Russia has significantly increased its presence in the African region. This is connected not so much with a well-known private military company, but with the intensification of business ties. What can give the poorest continent on the planet to Russia and what does the rivalry in nuclear energy have to do with it. Let's figure it out.

According to the data announced by Vladimir Putin at the Russia-Africa summit, the trade turnover between our country and the states of the black continent in 2022 reached a record $18 billion. In the first half of this year alone, the volume of export-import operations with African countries increased by more than a third. At the same time, more than half of deliveries from Russia are not raw materials, but machinery, equipment, chemical products and food.



In 2022, agricultural trade between Russia and Africa grew by 10% to $6,7 billion. And for 6 months of 2023, it increased by another 60%. Of course, according to the tradition of our relationship, it is not possible without charity.

The President of Russia confirmed that in the coming months Russia is ready to supply grain to countries in particular need on a free basis, since this year's record harvest makes it possible. In addition, Russia has written off debts to African countries for $23 billion. In return, domestic businesses will be able to work on a mutually beneficial basis, earn money, increase trade, and pay high taxes, including to the Russian budget. This is how Dmitry Peskov explained the generosity of our government. Now the main thing is not to get carried away, because any cooperation should be, first of all, mutually beneficial.

What is Russia's interest in Africa and what can it offer?

Economy Africa is developing rapidly. For 20 years, the average for the continent is 4% of GDP per year. Not China, of course, but Russia can definitely envy. The leaders of the African economy are Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia, which received the status of "African economic miracle" with its 10% GDP growth.

In addition, Africa has one of the lowest cost of mining, in contrast to developed countries with high wages. In Russia itself, the climatic conditions are too severe for mining. Africa today is the absolute leader in reserves of bauxite, manganese, platinum, uranium and a number of other rare earth metals. Many of the resources are critical for high-tech industries. Africa has a monopoly on some important positions.

How many undiscovered reserves are hidden in the depths of this continent, no one can say, since modern methods of geological exploration are still new here. Everyone needs resources in today's world, but African leaders say they will cooperate with those who see them as equals. In addition to Russia, all major powers are fighting for the influence of raw materials on the continent. Conditions are increasingly being dictated by the Africans themselves, while Europe is increasingly failing. A striking example is the loss of French control over a number of its former colonies, including Mali and Niger.

American political scientist Daniel Kovalik said that the United States tried to persuade many African countries to turn away from Russia, but they did not succeed. And according to British political journalist Michael Jones, Africa has reached the level of arms procurement and defense equipment in Russia as in the days of the USSR.

The West is deliberately ignoring the scope of the impact of the geopolitical consequences of the Russia-Africa summit, as this does not fit into the legend that the Russian Federation is a pariah on the world stage. Nevertheless, the events of recent weeks show that our country in Africa is successfully achieving its goals.

Nigga what was that?

While Russia was meeting African friends with bread and salt in cold, at least for them, St. Petersburg, events took place in hot-hot Africa that could inflame even more political atmosphere in the region. On the night of July 27, Niger's military announced on national television that the country's president, Mohammed Bazum, was removed and the country's borders were closed. The reason for the rebellion was the plans of the head of state to dismiss the commander of the presidential guard, Omar Chiani. The army supported the rebels, explaining this by the desire to avoid armed conflicts.

Niger is a small country in West Africa that has no outlet to the ocean, a former colony of France. The population of the country is about 25 million people. The total area is more than 1,2 million square kilometers. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world and largely dependent on foreign aid. Its main financial donors were France, the IMF and Japan. The World Bank estimates that the country's GDP is almost $14 billion.

France sharply condemned the coup and stated that Russia was behind it all. It would seem where Niger is and where we are, but if you look more closely, the change of power in Niger really plays into our hands.

Internationally, Niger is important as one of the leading suppliers of uranium. In this capacity, the country is among the top ten world leaders. Now more than 10% of the world's uranium reserves are at stake. In addition, a significant proportion of uranium is mined here for the French nuclear industry and the country's nuclear military program. Uranium makes France independent in the nuclear field and allows it to enter the top four states with a nuclear arsenal. Unlike the British, Paris does not depend on the United States. After the coup, there is a risk of canceling the supply of uranium to France, or the emergence of demands for its sale on market terms. By the way, another beneficiary of the coup looms here - the United States, for which a new market for the sale of fuel for nuclear power plants may open. Today, about a quarter of the uranium consumed by France comes from Niger.

The rebellion against Bazum has become one of the topics for discussion at the Russia-Africa summit, which is taking place in St. Petersburg. In the United States, of course, they condemned the coup attempt in Niger. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Washington is closely monitoring the situation in the African country. And UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, according to tradition, expressed his support to Mohammed Bazum and wished him good luck. By the way, the President of Niger refused to participate in the Russia-Africa summit. I could have performed in St. Petersburg, but in the end I ended up under arrest by my own guards.