Economy
Russia-Africa Summit: One More Opportunity for Raising Trade Collaboration
By Professor Maurice Okoli
Russia holds an African leaders’ gathering this late July 27-28 in St. Petersburg, the second largest city in the Russian Federation. The summit is the highest historical profile and the largest-scale diplomatic landmark event in Russia’s bilateral relations with Africa. In our assessment of the emerging multipolar world, the majority of African states are swiftly aligning their policy orientation toward China and Russia.
Russian Ambassador-at-Large and Director of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Oleg Ozerov, in an interview with Kommersant daily newspaper, explicitly explained that the summit is “envisioned by the Russian authorities, are intended to boost Moscow’s relations with African countries, contacts with which are currently deemed one of the most important aspects of Russia’s foreign policy.”
According to the diplomat, the summit will focus on general issues “concerning the formation of a multipolar world, a new fair architecture of relations based on the principles of sovereign equality of states, equal interaction based on their interests and international law, as opposed to the so-called ‘rules-based order’ promoted by Washington and its allies.”
Given that it is taking place during this tense global situation, it broadly aims at bringing about a fundamentally new level of beneficial partnership to meet the challenges of the 21st century. By this, Russia and Africa will open the second chapter, which defines the comprehensive cooperation between Russia and African nations across significant sectors ranging from politics, security, economic relations, science and technology to cultural and humanitarian spheres.
The first Russia-Africa summit was held in October 2019 under the Peace, Security and Development motto in Sochi. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted in an official statement: “Today, African countries are well on their way towards social, economic, scientific and technological development, and are playing a significant role in international affairs. They are strengthening mutually beneficial integration processes within the African Union and other regional and sub-regional organizations across the continent.”
Even though Russia is currently undertaking a ‘special military operation’ in neighbouring Ukraine, it still considers it necessary to invite African leaders to St. Petersburg. It is the original home of Vladimir Putin and indeed wanted to welcome Africans for a homecoming-friendly meeting for deliberations. Russia and Africa are bonded by history from the political independence struggle. Both share this little history. As widely known, Putin always expresses the highest affection for changing the situation and commitment to improving conditions for Africa’s estimated 1.4 billion population.
With the highest respect, he consistently reminds us that Russian-African relations are based on long-standing traditions of friendship and solidarity, created when the Soviet Union supported the struggle of African peoples against colonialism, racism and apartheid, protected their independence and sovereignty, and helped establish statehood and build the foundations of national economies.
In the views of many policy experts, both local and foreign, African leaders, trade organizations and corporate business executives have an extraordinary opportunity to design a well-timed strategy to take advantage of the growing market and to boost trade as a way to reverse considerably trade imbalance that has existed from Soviet days between Russia and Africa.
Within the global changes, there are equally good business perspectives for Russia and Africa, for instance, with trade facilitation and support for business enterprises, either small or medium, to seek cooperation in areas of new trade opportunities both in Africa and in the Russian Federation. For example, external countries have been showing massive interest in taking advantage of its emerging opportunities since the inception of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single borderless market.
With steadily developing economic links, it’s a pleasure to underline that Russia and African states have a long history of relations. Therefore, importing coffee, cocoa, tea, citrus, sea products and many more from African countries could be important for Russia. Of course, it is necessary to recall from the first summit that both parties have mutually agreed to promote and raise export/import and to cooperate in investment spheres with Russian companies.
In light of Russia’s sanctions – the ban on imports of many types of European agricultural products – diversification of sources of such raw materials has become especially crucial, while import substitution in the country is only fledging. This presents an opportunity for strengthening trade with Asia and Africa. In the views of many, several African countries, such as Morocco, Kenya, and South Africa, have already started filling the niche; Russian market shelves are enjoying a surge in African vegetables and fruits, most of which used to be re-exported through the EU.
As far back as 2014, local African farmers and cooperatives expressed readiness to boost direct exports to Russia, bypassing European mediators. African countries can make a fortune by selling agricultural products to Russia. The overall trade volume between Africa and Russia has been deficient and highly skewed in favour of Russia. But interestingly, there are only a few African countries trading products in Russia’s market for multiple reasons, including inadequate knowledge of trade procedures, rules and regulations, and the changing market conditions. And there are many other obstacles hindering African trade with Russia that have been identified and discussed in many business conferences and seminars.
However, concrete measures to improve the situation must be thoughtfully implemented. There are existing key challenges from both sides. Russia and Africa have been experiencing a shortage of vital business information on doing business and the market environment, and this has, over the years, created a condition of uncertainty, misgivings and negative perceptions among prospective potential traders and investors.
As many have shown concern about these trends, one way is to create a mechanism for disseminating business and trade information that will enhance business interaction among African exporters and Russian importers.
In addition, African leaders have to cultivate business interest in organizing trade platforms and business missions to showcase their potential in the Russian Federation. Comparatively, Africa’s exports to the United States, European Union and even to India and China have been growing due to trade preferences, lower custom tariffs and other trade incentives made available to African exporters by these big-time players.
It is necessary to say that the United States offers various incentives through the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). China has also adopted similar measures to attract African exporters to its regions. In June 2023, Hunan province held its 3rd annual China and Africa Trade Expo and Exhibition.
According to market research and studies conducted by Markol Consultancy, a business research and policy advisory firm, African exporters have keen interests in the Russian market but need help getting their goods delivered on time to consumers in Russia. They know that the market potential is vast in both ways and further understand that Asian countries have comparative advantage trading with Russia regarding distance, transportation of goods and other infrastructure, including logistics and warehousing.
In an effort to boost Russia-African trade, there should be policy interventions, initiate trade platforms for Russians and Africans to participate in practical discussions on making trade policies more effective and offer import and export credit support for corporate traders to achieve noticeable results.
One of the key AfCFTA initiatives focuses on improving SMEs’ access to finance and markets to encourage their growth and contribution to Africa’s socio-economic development. Russia’s institutions can also provide financial services in areas such as agro-processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics – to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in African countries.
Taking a glimpse at the trade volume between China and Africa, both regions have done so much for more than the past 20 years despite all the scepticism and criticism. It is commendable that African countries have made efforts to raise their trade volume dramatically to cut down the trade imbalance, given the Chinese government’s necessary trade incentives and lower customs duties.
As for ways to reverse the huge trade imbalance between Africa and Russia, I would like to make the following suggestion. Russian business people and investors could collaborate in infrastructure, manufacturing, strict quality control and packaging in Africa. China and India are doing these in Ethiopia, for example, and a few other countries.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly stated in his speech to African diplomats that Russia was prepared to consider new initiatives to improve trade between the two regions. In May 2014, Lavrov wrote in his article: “We attach special significance to deepening trade and investment cooperation with the African States. Russia is ready to provide African countries with extensive preferences in trade.”
Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has posted an official report on its website that “traditional products from least developed countries (including Africa) would be exempted from import tariffs. The legislation stipulates that the traditional goods are eligible for preferential customs and tariffs treatment.”
That is very understandable. Still, African trade has been minimal in the Russian Federation. And unbelievably, African trade figures with Russia are hard to find from both African and Russian sources. For trade relations between Russia and Africa to improve appreciably, granting trade preferences to African countries – for example, tax exceptions or reductions, among other measures. This can become a practical step to strengthen trade relations with Africa.
In addition, there should also be state support to bolster private African entrepreneurs’ efforts not only to raise their economic presence but also to facilitate making solid inroads into the Russian market. This can be beneficial to the entire Eurasian region. Russia is a member of the newly created Eurasian Economic Union (which constitutes a vast market and allows free movement of goods among member countries). The other members include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
It is worth ending this article by mentioning the role of North-Eastern Federal University, which has educational partnerships and exchange programmes with a number of establishments in Asia and Africa, and the newly established Russian-African Club, a non-profit organization set up to support official efforts in building public opinion, as among the driving forces in the Russian policy of comprehensive partnership with Africa. Ultimately, there is a noticeably growing mutual cooperation between Africa and Russia.
Professor Maurice Okoli is a fellow at the Institute for African Studies and the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences. He is also a fellow at the North-Eastern Federal University in Russia
By Adedapo Adesanya
The chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji, has urged the country to broaden its export basket beyond raw materials by embracing ideas, innovation and the production of more value-added and complex products
Mr Adedeji said this during the maiden distinguished personality lecture of the Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday.
The NRS chairman, in the lecture entitled From Potential to Prosperity: Export-led Economy, revealed that Nigeria experienced stagnation in its export drive over three decades, from 1998 to 2023, and added only six new products to its export basket during that period.
He stressed the need to rethink growth through the lens of complexity by not just producing more of the same stuff, lamenting that Nigeria possesses a high-tech oil sector and a low-productivity informal sector, as well as lacking “the vibrant, labour-absorbing industrial base that serves as a bridge to higher complexity,” he said in a statement by his special adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi.
Mr Adedeji urged Nigeria to learn from the world by comparative studies of success and failure, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Africa, and Brazil.
“We are not just looking at numbers in a vacuum; we are looking at the strategic choices made by nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brazil, and South Africa over the same twenty-five-year period. While there are many ways to underperform, the path to success is remarkably consistent: it is defined by a clear strategy to build economic complexity.
“When we put these stories together, the divergence is clear. Vietnam used global trade to build a resilient, complex economy, while the others remained dependent on natural resources or a single low-tech niche.
“There are three big lessons here for us in Nigeria as we think about our roadmap. First, avoiding the resource curse is necessary, but it is not enough. You need a proactive strategy to build productive capabilities,” he stated, adding that for Nigeria, which is at an even earlier stage of development and even less diversified than these nations, the warning is stark.
“Relying solely on our natural endowments isn’t just a path to stagnation; it’s a path to regression. The global economy increasingly rewards knowledge and complexity, not just what you can dig out of the ground. If we want to move from potential to prosperity, we must stop being just a source of raw materials and start being a source of ideas, innovation, and complex products,” the taxman stated.
He added that President Bola Tinubu has already begun the difficult work of rebuilding the economy, building collective knowledge to innovate, produce, and build a resilient economy.
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday inaugurated Nigeria’s National Halal Economy Strategy to tap into the $7.7 trillion global halal market and diversify its economy.
President Tinubu, while inaugurating the strategy, called for disciplined, inclusive, and measurable action for the strategy to deliver jobs and shared prosperity across the country.
Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, he described the unveiling of the strategy as a signal of Nigeria’s readiness to join the world in grabbing a huge chunk of the global halal economy already embraced by leading nations.
“As well as to clearly define the nation’s direction within the market, is expected to add an estimated $1.5 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027. It is with this sense of responsibility that I formally unveil the Nigeria National Halal Economy Strategy.
“This document is a declaration of our promise to meet global standards with Nigerian capacity and to convert opportunity into lasting economic value. What follows must be action that is disciplined, inclusive, and measurable, so that this Strategy delivers jobs, exports, and shared prosperity across our nation.
“It is going to be chaired by the supremely competent Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment.”
The president explained that the halal-compliant food exports, developing pharmaceutical and cosmetic value chains would position Nigeria as a halal-friendly tourism destination, and mobilising ethical finance at scale,” by 2030.
“The cumulative efforts “are projected to unlock over twelve billion dollars in economic value.
“While strengthening food security, deepening industrial capacity, and creating opportunities for small-and-medium-sized enterprises across our states,” he added.
Allaying concerns by those linking the halal with religious affiliation, President Tinubu pointed out that the global halal economy had since outgrown parochial interpretations.
“It is no longer defined solely by faith, but by trust, through systems that emphasise quality, traceability, safety, and ethical production. These principles resonate far beyond any single community.
“They speak to consumers, investors, and trading partners who increasingly demand certainty in how goods are produced, financed, and delivered. It is within this broader understanding that Nigeria now positions itself.”
Tinubu said many advanced Western economies had since “recognised the commercial and ethical appeal of the halal economy and have integrated it into their export and quality-assurance systems.”
President Tinubu listed developed countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
“They are currently among the “leading producers, certifiers, and exporters of halal food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and financial products.”
He stated that what these developed nations had experienced is a confirmation of a simple truth, that “the halal economy is a global market framework rooted in standards, safety, and consumer trust, not geography or belief.”
The president explained that the Nigeria national halal economy strategy is the result of careful study and sober reflection.
He added that it was inspired by the commitment of his administration of “to diversify exports, attract foreign direct investment, and create sustainable jobs across the federation.
“It is also the product of deliberate partnership, developed with the Halal Products Development Company, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
“And Dar Al Halal Group Nigeria, with technical backing from institutions such as the Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa.”
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Jumoke Oduwole, said the inauguration of the strategy was a public-private collaboration that has involved extensive interaction with stakeholders.
Mrs Oduwole, who is the Chairperson, National Halal Strategy Committee, said that the private sector led the charge in ensuring that it is a whole-of-government and whole-of-country intervention.
The minister stressed that what the Halal strategy had done for Nigeria “is to position us among countries that export Halal-certified goods across the world.
The minister said, “We are going to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to ensure that we export our Halal-friendly goods to the rest of Africa and beyond to any willing markets; participation is voluntary. “
She assured that as the Chairperson, her ministry would deliver on the objectives of the strategy for the prosperity of the nation.
The Chairman of Dar Al-Halal Group Nigeria L.td, Mr Muhammadu Dikko-Ladan, explained that the Halal Product Development Company collaborated with the group in developing the strategy.
“In addition to the strategy, an export programme is underway involving the Ministry of Trade and Investment, through which Nigerian companies can be onboarded into the Saudi Arabian market and beyond.£
Mr Dikko-Ladan described the Strategy as a landmark opportunity for Nigeria, as it creates market access and attracts foreign direct investment.
By Adedapo Adesanya
GuarantCo, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has provided a 100 per cent guarantee to support a $75 million debt facility for Robust International Pte Ltd (Robust) to construct a new cashew nut processing plant in Ogun State, Nigeria.
GuarantCo, under the PIDG is funded by the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Australia, Sweden and Canada, mobilises private sector local currency investment for infrastructure projects and supports the development of financial markets in lower-income countries across Africa and Asia.
Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest cashew producers of 300,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts annually, yet currently less than 10 per cent are processed domestically. Most raw nuts are exported unprocessed to Asian and other countries, forfeiting up to 80 per cent of their potential export value and adding exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations.
According to GuarantCo, this additional plant will more than double Robust’s existing cashew processing capacity from 100 metric tonnes per day to 220 metric tonnes per day to help reduce this structural gap.
The new plant will be of extensive benefit to the local economy, with the procurement of cashew nuts from around 10,000 primarily low-income smallholder farmers.
There is an expected increase in export revenue of up to $335 million and procurement from the local supply chain over the lifetime of the guarantee.
Furthermore, the new plant will incorporate functionality to convert waste by-products into value-added biomass and biofuel inputs to enhance the environmental impact of the transaction.
It is anticipated that up to 900 jobs will be created, with as many as 78 per cent to be held by women. Robust also has a target to gradually increase the share of procurement from women farmers, from 15 per cent to 25 per cent by 2028, as it reaches new regions in Nigeria and extends its ongoing gender-responsive outreach programme for farmers.
Terms of the deal showed that the debt facility was provided by a Symbiotics-arranged bond platform, which in turn issued notes with the benefit of the GuarantCo guarantee. These notes have been subscribed to in full by M&G Investments. The transaction was executed in record time due to the successful replication of two recent transactions in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, again in collaboration with M&G Investments and Symbiotics.
Speaking on the development, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, said: “The UK is proud to support innovative financing that mobilises private capital into Nigeria’s productive economy through UK-backed institutions such as PIDG. By backing investment into local processing and value addition, this transaction supports jobs, exports and more resilient agricultural supply chains. Complementing this, through the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnerships and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, the UK is supporting Nigerian businesses to scale exports to the UK and beyond, demonstrating how UK-backed partnerships help firms grow and compete internationally.”
Mr Dave Chalila, Head of Africa and Middle East Investments at GuarantCo, said: “This transaction marks GuarantCo’s third collaboration with M&G Investments and Symbiotics, emphasising our efforts to bring replicability to everything we do so that we accelerate socio-economic development where it matters most. The transaction is consistent with PIDG’s mandate to mobilise private capital into high-impact, underfinanced sectors. In this case, crowding in institutional investors in the African agri-processing value chain.
“As with the two recent similarly structured transactions, funding is channelled through the Symbiotics institutional investor platform, with the notes externally rated by Fitch and benefiting from a rating uplift due to the GuarantCo guarantee.”
Adding his input, Mr Vishanth Narayan, Group Executive Director at Robust International Group, said: “As a global leader in agricultural commodities, Robust International remains steadfast in its commitment to building resilient, ethical and value-adding supply chains across origin and destination markets. This transaction represents an important step in advancing our long-term strategy of strengthening processing capabilities, deepening engagement with farmers and enhancing local value addition in the regions where we operate. Through sustained investment, disciplined execution and decades of operating experience, we continue to focus on delivering reliable, high-quality products while fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”
For Ms María Redondo, director at M&G Investments, “The guarantee gives us the assurance to invest in hard currency, emerging market debt, while supporting Robust’s new cashew processing plant in Nigeria. It’s a clear example of how smart credit enhancement can unlock institutional capital for high-impact development and manage currency and credit risks effectively. This is another strong step in channelling institutional capital into meaningful, on‑the‑ground growth.”
Also, Ms Valeria Berzunza, Structuring & Arranging at Symbiotics, said: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with M&G Investments, GuarantCo, and now with Robust through a transaction with a strong social and gender focus, demonstrating that well-structured products can boost commercially attractive, viable, and impactful investments.”
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