Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to establish a committee that will be in charge of preparing for and holding the Russia—Africa Summit in 2019 in Russia and other events in the Russia—Africa format. Aide to the Russian President Yury Ushakov has been appointed chairman of the Organizing Committee per the presidential decree. The corresponding document numbered 74 has been published on the official website of the Russian President.
In addition, a regulation on the Organizing Committee has been approved and the members who will be in charge of coordinating preparations for events, resolving issues concerning collaboration with Russian regions and departments as well as providing informational and organizational support will be determined and approved within a month.
Russia has traditionally prioritized developing relations with African countries. Trade and economic relations as well as investment projects with the countries of the African continent offer enormous potential. Major Russian businesses view Africa as a promising place for investment. The energy and mining sectors along with agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and infrastructure pose the greatest interest.
The fact that the Russia—Africa Business Dialogue has been held regularly during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum since 2017 confirms the growing intensity of such cooperation. This year, the Russia—Africa Business Dialogue will take place on 6–8 June. Moreover, the first Russia—Africa Energy Roundtable was organized in 2018 during Russian Energy Week. In June 2019, the SPIEF will be immediately followed by the annual meeting of African Export—Import Bank shareholders, which have included Russia since December 2017 as represented by Russian Export Center, along with an economic conference that will lay the foundation for continuing the dialogue between countries at a high level as part of major subsequent business events.
In accordance with the Russian presidential decree, the Roscongress Foundation has been appointed the sole contractor for the procurement of services by the Russian Ministry of Finance related to preparations for and holding events in the Russia—Africa format.
The first Russia—Africa Business Forum will be held in October 2019 as part of the Russia—Africa Summit in Sochi. The event is expected to be attended by the heads of African states and representatives of Russian, African, and international business and government agencies as well as integration associations on the African continent.
