China kicked Russia out of Africa
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov completed his visits to African countries. He managed to visit a number of states that had previously been in the orbit of influence of the Soviet Union - Angola, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Namibia. This visit was not surprising - Russia seeks to regain its former positions in Africa, but now it’s not ideological, but Moscow that’s moving economic and military interests.
Russia seeks, firstly, to ensure further growth in the supply of various types of weapons to African states, and secondly, to increase its participation in the exploitation of the continent's natural resources. A number of key Russian companies are ready to invest in the development of mineral resources in Africa. So, on the continent, Rosneft, Alrosa, and Rostec seek to strengthen their positions. In Guinea, the Rusal company, which operates bauxite deposits, is operating on a large scale.
Even more impressive is Russia's presence in the African arms market. More than 35% of the armament of the armies of the countries of the continent is Russian-made. Africa is the second most important buyer of Russian weapons after South and Southeast Asia. Naturally, Moscow expects in the future to remain among the main arms suppliers to African countries.
However, in recent years, Russia has a very serious rival in the struggle for influence on the African continent. This is China, which in the second half of the twentieth century was trying to actively influence the African policiesbut now has strengthened its position on the continent as never before. In terms of trade with the countries of the African continent, China has left Russia behind. So, if the trade between Russia and African countries in 2017 was estimated at $ 3,6 billion, the scale of China’s trade is estimated at $ 220 billion. China not only trades with Africa, but also invests heavily in the construction of roads, infrastructure, hospitals and schools. Many African schools and universities have long been learning Chinese. However, Russia is not trying to compete with China in the sale of consumer goods. But the situation is unfavorable in the arms market - the traditional "estate" of Moscow.
For the period from 2010 to 2015. Chinese arms exports to Africa grew one and a half times. Now China is in third place in arms exports after the United States and Russia. Obviously, he will only strengthen his position. Beijing is very assertive, promoting the products of its military-industrial complex in African countries. Already, at least 2/3 of the states of the continent are buying Chinese weapons. Russian weapons were popular because of their low prices compared to their Western counterparts, but Chinese weapons are even cheaper, and the quality is already approaching Russian. Therefore, the hour is not so far away when China can push Russia from second to third place among the main arms exporters.
By investing in Africa, China is trying to gain a strong position in all areas - from the arms market to the exploitation of natural resources, from agriculture to educational services. Since Russia, exploiting resources and selling weapons, in other areas cannot be considered a competitor to China, its position will inevitably weaken, and this is very disadvantageous for the Russian economy, as export volumes will decrease and, accordingly, the flows of funds received from countries of the continent.
Russia seeks, firstly, to ensure further growth in the supply of various types of weapons to African states, and secondly, to increase its participation in the exploitation of the continent's natural resources. A number of key Russian companies are ready to invest in the development of mineral resources in Africa. So, on the continent, Rosneft, Alrosa, and Rostec seek to strengthen their positions. In Guinea, the Rusal company, which operates bauxite deposits, is operating on a large scale.
Even more impressive is Russia's presence in the African arms market. More than 35% of the armament of the armies of the countries of the continent is Russian-made. Africa is the second most important buyer of Russian weapons after South and Southeast Asia. Naturally, Moscow expects in the future to remain among the main arms suppliers to African countries.
However, in recent years, Russia has a very serious rival in the struggle for influence on the African continent. This is China, which in the second half of the twentieth century was trying to actively influence the African policiesbut now has strengthened its position on the continent as never before. In terms of trade with the countries of the African continent, China has left Russia behind. So, if the trade between Russia and African countries in 2017 was estimated at $ 3,6 billion, the scale of China’s trade is estimated at $ 220 billion. China not only trades with Africa, but also invests heavily in the construction of roads, infrastructure, hospitals and schools. Many African schools and universities have long been learning Chinese. However, Russia is not trying to compete with China in the sale of consumer goods. But the situation is unfavorable in the arms market - the traditional "estate" of Moscow.
For the period from 2010 to 2015. Chinese arms exports to Africa grew one and a half times. Now China is in third place in arms exports after the United States and Russia. Obviously, he will only strengthen his position. Beijing is very assertive, promoting the products of its military-industrial complex in African countries. Already, at least 2/3 of the states of the continent are buying Chinese weapons. Russian weapons were popular because of their low prices compared to their Western counterparts, but Chinese weapons are even cheaper, and the quality is already approaching Russian. Therefore, the hour is not so far away when China can push Russia from second to third place among the main arms exporters.
By investing in Africa, China is trying to gain a strong position in all areas - from the arms market to the exploitation of natural resources, from agriculture to educational services. Since Russia, exploiting resources and selling weapons, in other areas cannot be considered a competitor to China, its position will inevitably weaken, and this is very disadvantageous for the Russian economy, as export volumes will decrease and, accordingly, the flows of funds received from countries of the continent.
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