World
Russia’s Cultural Diplomacy in Multipolar World: Perspectives and Challenges for Africa
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
After careful research to find the meaning and implications of the term “multipolar world” often used these days, the free dictionary and englopedia offer insights as a system of world order in which the majority of leading global powers coordinate and commonly agree on economic, political and cultural influence and acceptable directions.
Both dictionaries further explain that countries have multipolar approaches to foreign policy. Participating countries necessarily conceive multiple centres of power or influence in the world and have a multipolar approach to foreign policy. A multipolar world could mean various differences in thoughts, views and ideas regarding anything in particular that different people desire to do across the world.
It appears from several reports that China and Russia intend to lead the new world order. Speeches from both sides are extremely critical of “based rules and regulations” given by the United States and Europe. The United States’ global dictatorship might end so that the unipolar would then become a multi-polar world, in which democracy could actually thrive.
In practical terms and in order to lead a multipolar system requires an outward, broad and integrative approach. While China, to a large extent, has portrayed this practical approach which is readily seen around the world, Russia’s method is full of slogans and highly limited. With the emerging new global order, China appears more open and integrative than Russia. Despite the fact that it madly advocates for creating and ultimate establishment of this multipolar world, Russia exits significantly from the global stage, thus isolating itself and further contributing towards its own “cancel culture” instead of the opposite.
Whether people like it or not, the United States will conveniently operate within the emerging multipolar system. It has the instruments to operate within the framework of multilateralism and an integrative multicultural environment. The United States is and remains an “indispensable” power. Russia and a few of its allies in this evolutionary process, without adopting cautious steps and strategic approach, will definitely remain “dispensable” in the end.
In order to deepen our understanding of the emerging multipolar world, it is useful to make comparisons. The United States’ new strategy acknowledges that Africa will shape the future – not just the future of the African people but of the world. And as such deals with civil society, women and the youth, which it refers to as the megaphone of governance. These have an influence on policies and processes engaging policy-makers.
It further works in various directions closely with the African Union, and one more new direction is the African diaspora. The United States has the largest African diaspora with social inroads and business inter-linkages and a hugely significant impact on developments inside Africa. In contrast, Russia has grossly ignored the African diaspora and even those African professional specialists it has indeed trained from Soviet times to and currently. In the emerging new multipolar world, to overlook these would be a sad mistake from a policy perspective.
Russians seriously brush aside the relevance and the role of culture, for that matter, soft power in foreign policy while advocating for this emerging new order. Examining, in broad terms, all aspects of culture that basically includes continuing the struggle for self-determination, for creating the grounded opportunity to live in peace and preserving one’s valuable traditions. Language, of course, plays its unifying role.
Some contradictions and different interpretations might exist. On the other hand, there are divergent views and different perceptions relating to the current geopolitical changes, but frankly speaking, the study of foreign languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and the emerging interest in the Chinese and Russian languages, has been a long part of people’s lives, especially those who hope to move across borders and dream to have smooth interactions with other nationals from different countries around the world.
For the past three decades since the collapse of the Soviet era, Russian language studies have been low, for example, among the African population, primarily due to a lack of overwhelming interest and adequate motivation, and a lack of consistent interactive cultural activities by Russian authorities, experts at the Africa Studies Institute frequently say, and warmheartedly admit that things have slow with Russia’s return to Africa.
Most Africans prefer to study foreign languages to ensure smooth participation in interstate activities such as trade and in order to maintain relationships with people abroad. Foreign countries, for example, Britain, the United States, European countries and now China, are their traditional favourites. There are always interactive programmes and cultural activities throughout the year operated by foreign missions and NGOs.
Interpreted from different perspectives, Russia has not been a major economic giant in Africa compared to Western and European countries and China. Due to this historical truth, Africans have little interest in studying the Russian language and its culture. The Russian language itself does not sound attractive in terms of its economic opportunity, and therefore, Africans prefer to study languages that readily offer opportunities. China is making huge contributions to the continent, and this has made Africans see the need to understand the language in order to have better interaction with them.
The obvious worst-case scenario is that the Russian government has not created the necessary conditions and reasons to study the language simply because it has little influence in the continent. Besides that, the trade and commercial links between Russia and Africa are quite negligible, so there is no desperate demand for the Russian language for businessmen. Admittedly, Russia is not a welcoming holiday destination for African elites and the middle class, which is twice the total population of Russia and constitutes 40% of the 1.3 billion population of Africa. Travel and tourism is an increasingly huge business, and the unique geographical landscapes and changing attractiveness of Moscow, St Petersburg and Sochi – are unknown to the African elite and the growing middle class.
With the current evolving political and cultural processes, the West and Europe will still have a strong classical grip on Africa, influencing everything first from culture and tourism and moving onward to politics and economics. Perhaps, Russia has to play the correct strategic openness and welcome African travellers, tourists and visitors. Closing doors in these critical times might negatively distract Africa’s support for Russia.
The worrying tendency is that Rossotrudnichestvo, an agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, pays little attention to educational and cultural questions in Africa, compared to its assertive counterparts – USAID, Alliance Française de France, The Goethe Institute, British Council, Instituto Cervantes that operate throughout the world.
Another Russian organization – Russkiy Mir Foundation, which is directly responsible for promoting the Russian language and culture abroad, does extremely little in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, cultural officers work in all 38 Russian embassies in Africa.
Russia appears quite removed from Africa’s development issues, it is only mentioned in limited areas like weapons and military equipment supplies to French-speaking West Africa. Nowadays, China is being viewed as a strong strategic partner in Africa, given its (China’s) strong footprints in diverse economic sectors. China has more than 20 Confucius Centers and a party school in Africa. Western and European, and China support civil society, youth programmes and women’s issues – these are completely not on Russia’s radar.
Russia allegedly allows its own ‘cancel culture’ and significantly not by the United States and its European allies. In practical terms, creating a multipolar system deals largely with cultural and social orientation, it deals with public perceptions through openness and friendliness. At this new historical reawakening stage, Russia has reviewed itself and tried to focus on building relations, both with substance, trustful and refined approach and strategically engaging with civil society, youth organizations and non-state institutions in Africa.
By and large, Russia has to intensify its people-to-people connections, soft power and cultural diplomacy with Africa. There is a huge cultural gap in new thinking, working with young professionals and associations to promote people-to-people diplomacy through business links, cultural exchanges and competitions. As Russia charts loudly for the multipolar system, this has to reflect in its current foreign policy and approach, especially towards the developing world, in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Late October, during the final plenary session of the 19th meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club, the focus was on matters related to the changing geopolitics and civilisation diversity, the new world order and its future developments. Under the theme, A Post-Hegemonic World: Justice and Security for Everyone, the four-day-long interactive meeting brought academic experts and researchers, politicians, diplomats and economists from Russia and 40 foreign countries.
President Vladimir Putin discussed, at considerable length, so many controversial questions. According to him, classic liberal ideology itself today has changed beyond recognition. They predicted the end of the United States’ global dominance but fell short in proposing an appropriate Russian template – the principles and mechanisms – for realizing the lofty idea and approach to establishing a multipolar world.
Putin did not say anything about Russia becoming a power but awarded that position to China. Giants like China, India and Indonesia with large populations are showing economic growth; in Africa, large countries – some of them with a population of 200 million – are emerging and making progress, as well as countries in Latin America.
According to him, Russia still has friends around the world. He mentioned that in Central America and Africa, Russian flags are flying everywhere. “There are flags in European countries and in the United States too; we have many supporters there. By the way, a large proportion of the US population adheres to traditional values, and they are with us, we know this,” he added in his assertive conversation at the Valdai gathering.
Putin, along the line, argued that the support for multipolar order largely exists in the global south. Russia is not the enemy and has never had any evil intentions as regards the European countries and the United States. He appreciated Africa’s struggle for independence and against colonialism. These absolutely unique relations were forged during the years when the Soviet Union and Russia supported African countries in their fight for freedom.
In this context and in relation to Africa, Natalia Zaiser, Founder of the African Business Initiative Union, apparently talked about the new historical stage need to establish new or different institutions of international partnership.
Her series of questions to Putin: “Mr President, what is your vision of a new international partnership institution? Which basis of parities is Russia ready to offer at the international level? Which mechanisms, tools and personalities are needed to acquire new allies, partners and friends, not at a declarative level but at the level of unquestionable responsibility in terms of agreements? Do you think we should also change or build up other approaches within the future international partnership?”
Putin’s answer was: “We must, and we can focus on cooperation, primarily, with countries which have sovereignty in taking fundamental decisions. This is my first point. My second point is that we need to reach a consensus on each of these decisions. Third, we need to secure a balance of interests. Part of which institutions can we do this? Of course, these are primarily universal international organizations, and number one is with the United Nations.”
World
AFC Gets AfDB’s $30m Equity Investment to Rollout Green Shares in Climate Projects
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) will get a $30 million equity investment from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the rollout of innovative “green shares” aimed at mobilising resources for climate action projects across Africa.
Green shares are innovative financial instruments to unlock significant funding for high-impact projects.
AFC will leverage the green equity and mobilise debt funding from capital markets for on-lending to sub-projects.
The AfDB board approval took place on December 11, 2024, as it seeks to play a key role in establishing an ecosystem of sustainable financing which will bridge gaps needed to create economic opportunities and enhance Africa’s climate resilience.
The finance is expected to inject some of this funding into some projects including wind and solar power plants in Djibouti and Egypt and energy storage systems in Cabo Verde.
The investment is also projected to create over 1,600 full-time equivalent jobs by 2031, while also fostering regional integration, and generating clean, reliable energy to power millions of African households. It is also expected to drive inclusive growth and expand economic opportunities for marginalised populations, including women and rural communities.
Despite contributing less than 3 per cent of global carbon emissions, Africa faces severe climate impacts and an annual infrastructure financing gap of $170 billion.
Mr Solomon Quaynor, African Development Bank Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation said the collaboration between the two institutions exemplifies the transformative power of strategic partnerships.
“The bank group’s first-mover investment in AFC’s green shares is expected to attract other regional and global investors, amplifying the impact of this initiative, and sending a strong signal to global investors that Africa is ready to lead the way in green growth,” he said.
“We are honoured to welcome the African Development Bank, Africa’s largest development finance institution, as the first investor in our Green Shares programme,” added Mr Banji Fehintola, Executive Board Member and Head of Financial Services at AFC.
“Their $30 million commitment highlights the critical role of sustainable financing in tackling Africa’s climate and infrastructure challenges while strengthening our shared mission to drive transformative change across the continent. By working with a like-minded partner who shares our vision for a prosperous and sustainable Africa, we are advancing impactful solutions that support the continent’s green transition and long-term development,” he added.
Mr Ahmed Attout, the Bank’s Director for Financial Sector Development, stressed that, “This partnership with AFC is a major milestone in our efforts to channel domestic, regional, and global capital into projects that build climate resilience and foster sustainable growth.”
World
G20 and Africa: Unique Platform for Transformative Economic Partnership
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The Group of 20 (G20) is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 sovereign countries, the European Union (EU), and the African Union (AU). It works to address major issues related to the global economy, such as international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development, through annual meetings of Heads of State and Heads of Government.
The G20 was created in 1999 in response to several world economic crises, and South Africa has been the only African member in the Group. However, in September 2023, at the 18th G20 Summit, Indian PM Narendra Modi announced that the African Union (AU) has been included as a member of the G20, making it the 21st member of the intergovernmental forum. South Africa will take over the G20 presidency in 2025.
In mid-December 2024, Brand South Africa’s General Manager Lefentse Nokaneng, discussed in this insightful interview, the significance of the G20 forum, the multifaceted prospects and unique opportunities G20 could offer Africa. Here are the interview excerpts:
What are the aspirations, as South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil, for Africa?
As South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil in 2025, our aspirations for Africa have always been clear and compelling. As a founding member of the G20, South Africa has played a pivotal role in advocating for Africa’s inclusion within this influential multilateral forum.
Under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainable Development,” South Africa’s presidency presents a significant opportunity to advance crucial reforms in the global governance system, ensuring that it is more representative of and responsive to the developmental needs of Africa and the Global South. To this, by focusing on reforms to the multilateral trading system and the global financial architecture, we aim to effectively address the pressing challenges of underdevelopment and transform the fortunes of the most vulnerable communities, many of whom reside in Africa.
As the leading economy on the continent, South Africa is deeply committed to unlocking Africa’s vast potential and fostering inclusive growth through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). We envision a G20 agenda that not only amplifies Africa’s voice but also drives collaborative efforts toward sustainable development aligned with the aspirations of the Pact for the Future and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This vision aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which aims to realize “The Africa We Want,” ultimately improving the lives of all Africans.
But generally, how has Africa, as a continent, so far benefited from G20, and what concretely can we underscore as remarkable achievements?
The inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 can be underscored as a key achievement for the continent, providing a crucial platform for African nations to have a voice and to engage directly with major economic powers on key issues, that affect them, such as debt relief, security, infrastructure development, pandemics, and climate change. Prior to the AU’s membership, South Africa was the only African representative in the G20, which limited the continent’s ability to influence discussions on issues affecting its nations.
Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, with the G20 providing a crucial platform to address pressing development challenges and unlock immense growth potential through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The African Development Bank highlights a significant $70 to $100 billion deficit in infrastructure investment across the continent, underscoring the need for a substantial 6% of GDP investment to achieve growth rates of 3% to 3.5%, well above the current global average. Collaborating with G20 partners offers Africa the opportunity to mobilize essential resources and expertise to bridge this gap.
Central to this effort is the reform of the international financial architecture to create equitable opportunities for Africa to harness its vast potential. By embracing innovative financing mechanisms, the continent can effectively address critical infrastructure gaps, unlocking pathways to inclusive and sustainable development. It is also vital to advocate for fair climate policies that recognize the diverse developmental stages of African economies, ensuring that measures such as carbon taxes do not disproportionately impact emerging nations.
To this end, investments in Africa’s energy transition are crucial. Notably, Germany, under the G20 Compact with Africa Initiative, has unveiled a R76-billion investment package aimed at facilitating Africa’s green energy transition by 2030. Furthermore, the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) is a vital component of the Paris Agreement, setting a new financial target to support developing countries in their climate actions post-2025. By building on the $100 billion target established in 2009, the NCQG seeks to address persistent gaps in climate finance and provides a more ambitious and realistic framework for sustainable development.
For Africa, the commitment of developed nations to these climate goals is integral to achieving success. By ensuring adequate financing and support, Africa can not only meet its climate objectives but also harness its natural resources for sustainable growth. These initiatives highlight the importance of G20’s commitments to fostering international partnerships that drive meaningful change for Africa’s development.
And now, within the context of geopolitical changes, what else can we expect from G20 as South Africa takes over from Brazil?
As South Africa prepares to take over the G20 presidency from Brazil, it will continue its commitment to being a responsible global citizen, particularly considering ongoing geopolitical changes. During its presidency, South Africa will amplify its advocacy for peaceful conflict resolution and the promotion of democratic principles and human rights on the international stage. This commitment is grounded in a foreign policy that emphasizes neutrality, respect for mediation, and the critical importance of peace.
Leveraging its leadership within the G20, South Africa aims to navigate and address pressing geopolitical tensions by fostering constructive dialogue among nations. It seeks to promote collaborative approaches that prioritize diplomacy and multilateralism, ensuring that diverse perspectives are acknowledged and that solutions are inclusive. In this way, South Africa will play a pivotal role in shaping a more stable and peaceful global environment.
South Africa has consistently been advocating for, both structural and operational, reforms at the multinational institutions, what about putting first the internal order at the African Union (AU)?
Advocating for reforms at multinational institutions and strengthening the internal order of the African Union (AU) are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are complementary efforts essential for effective continental and global governance, particularly in a fractured geopolitical landscape. Enhancing the AU’s governance and operational frameworks is crucial to addressing Africa’s pressing challenges, which the AU has prioritized and encapsulated in its Agenda 2063. Enhancing the AU’s governance and operational frameworks is crucial to addressing Africa’s pressing challenges, which the AU has prioritized and encapsulated in its Agenda 2063. Simultaneous engagement with global governance structures is necessary to ensure that they advance critical reforms, making the global governance system more representative of and responsive to the developmental needs of Africa and the Global South.
The AU’s commitment to good governance has been a priority for many years and is prominently featured in its Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. This strategic framework outlines the AU’s vision for transforming Africa into a global powerhouse and emphasizes good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law among its seven aspirations. According to the 2022 IIAG report, more than half of Africa’s population now resides in countries where overall governance has improved, reflecting the positive impact of these efforts.
As South Africa assumes the G20 presidency as a member of the AU and the Global South, it is uniquely positioned to drive the development agenda for both Africa and the Global South while advocating for essential reforms in global governance. This focus aims to address the pressing need for more inclusive and effective multilateralism that better represents the interests and aspirations of developing nations.
World
AfDB Attracts $2.2bn for Nigeria’s Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Investors are interested in investing about $2.2 billion in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Nigeria Phase II project.
This was recently facilitated by the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) at the Africa Investment Forum.
The initiative is expected to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector, as it will create agro-industrial hubs that drive productivity, enhance food security, raise living standards and create jobs.
Those interested in the project include Arise IIP, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Africa Export-Import Bank, Sahara Farms, BPI France, Africa50, and the US Development Finance Corporation.
They engaged the Nigerian government at a meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
The SAPZ Nigeria Program is a country-wide government-enabled and private-sector-led investment program that will, (i) provide infrastructure for the establishment of agro-industrial zones, (ii) strengthen institutional capacity and business environment for agro-industrial development and (iii) support agricultural productivity, skills, and private investment across value chains.
SAPZs are established in areas with high agricultural production potential. They are provided with infrastructure, common services, and supported by policy incentives to integrate agricultural and industrial businesses. Through value-added manufacturing, they have the potential to trigger the long-delayed structural transformation that revitalizes rural areas, enhance food security, improve employment, and boost regional and international trade.
Phase I Nigerian States benefiting from the program are Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kwara and Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory. SAPZ Nigeria Phase II is underway to expand to an additional 24 States in Nigeria in the next 3 years and will link Nigeria’s agriculture to agro-industrialization to drive economic growth.
The president of AfDB, Mr Akinwumi Adesina, said, “This is a defining moment for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.”
“The Nigeria SAPZ II project will create millions of jobs, empower smallholder farmers, and position Nigeria as a leader in agro-industrialization. These investments exemplify the power of collaboration to achieve sustainable development in Africa,” he added.
The bank’s Director General for Nigeria, Mr Abdul Kamara, said, “I am pleased to see this whopping investment interest and commitments by our financing partners for Nigeria, at a time when the country is ramping up efforts to attract investments into the agriculture sector to address food security, create job opportunities and boost economic growth.”
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