World
Focus on Cooperation: Russia and Egypt Ready for SPIEF’22
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Under the auspices of the President of the Russian Federation, the popular St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) comes off this mid-June 2022 for members of the Russian and global business community to meet and discuss the key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets, and the world as a whole.
Over the last 24 years, it has been a unique platform for consolidating simply a business for Russia and largely determines for its economy interested external corporate partners. June forum marks the 25th anniversary. Egypt (was chosen during the last closing ceremony) and becomes the guest organizer and participant. It will simultaneously help with preliminary preparations for the second Russia-Africa summit.
Russia and Egypt have been traditional partners. Both parties are interested in the comprehensive development of bilateral relations. Beyond that, it could play a significant role in driving Arab and African potential partners to St. Petersburg from June 15 to 18.
Egypt will have the honorary status of a guest country at the 25th anniversary of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This honorary status involves the organization of a whole range of events within the business and cultural programmes.
“Egypt’s participation in the SPIEF as a guest country will help to fully unleash the economic potential of cooperation for the international community and present (Egypt) as a tourist destination as well as its culture. For many countries, Egypt can serve as an entry point to the African continent and the Arab world and a reliable partner for the implementation of projects in various sectors of the economy and culture,” noted the Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov during one of the meetings held last year.
As of the preparations, last February, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum organized a business session for the working group in Cairo, Egypt. The main task was to deliberate on upcoming full-fledged participation as a guest country and the agenda for the forum.
During the SPIEF, Egypt has the chance to show the breakthrough that has occurred in relations between Russia and Egypt in terms of economic cooperation and, given the international scale of the event, to present opportunities for bilateral interaction with other countries.
According to official reports, the heads of ministries and agencies in Russia and Egypt are engaged in unprecedented intensive dialogues, all toward ensuring the success of the forum. Both parties are also looking at a joint project of creating a Russian industrial zone in Egypt.
It is, however, believed that roughly 100 industrial facilities were built in Egypt with the Soviet Union’s assistance, many of which still play an important role in the Egyptian economy, primarily the Aswan Dam, the Helwan Steel Plant, and the Nag Hammadi Aluminium Plant. The scale of business interaction has declined in the post-Soviet era but has been steadily growing again in recent years.
“It’s clear that Egypt has made considerable efforts in preparing the exhibition stand, the business programme and, importantly the cultural programme. This year, the forum will as usual host representatives of government agencies, business communities and experts. We have been developing youth programmes, and for business leaders and entrepreneurs, along with a cluster of young academics,” said Chairman of the Board and CEO of Roscongress Foundation Alexander Stuglev.
During April 12 meeting, the Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Alexey Valkov, spoke on some aspects related to ensuring epidemiological safety. He further emphasized the time-frames for accreditation, projects, and those technical solutions are strictly adhered to, the importance of developing transparent and unambiguous procedures for participants.
“It is crucial to follow this procedure in order to avoid disruptions. I am in no doubt that the concerted efforts of all offices and organizations involved in preparations for this anniversary edition will make it the biggest, safest, and most significant event of its kind in 2022,” said Valkov.
The SPIEF is held annually, and since 2006 it has been held under patronage and with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation. Despite the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the forum might still open wide possibilities to discuss in-depth the significance, challenges and prospects of sustainable business partnership cooperation between state institutions as well as between foreign countries and Russia.
In the meanwhile, as a direct result of the “special military operation” launched on February 24, Russia has come under a raft of sanctions imposed by the United States and Canada, the European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and a host of other countries.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
For the first time in its history, the World Public Summit will be held on the African continent. On 29–30 July 2026, Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, will host the World Public Summit. Africa — “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future.”
The Summit is organised by the World Peoples Assembly in cooperation with African partner organisations. It will bring together leaders of public diplomacy, representatives of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, academics, experts, representatives of the education and cultural sectors, youth leaders, socially responsible businesses, media professionals, and civil society institutions from across Africa and other regions of the world.
The World Public Summit. Africa continues the work initiated during the First World Public Assembly “A New World of Conscious Unity,” held in Moscow in September 2025, and serves as one of the key milestones in preparation for the Second World Public Assembly “A New World: Values That Unite,” which will take place in Moscow on 18–19 September 2026.
Today, Africa is emerging as one of the principal centres of global development. Rapid demographic growth, expanding entrepreneurship, strengthening regional integration, rich cultural heritage, and the growing role of civil society institutions make the continent an increasingly important contributor to the future architecture of international cooperation.
The Summit will focus on issues of genuine sovereignty and sustainable development, public diplomacy, preservation of cultural and historical heritage, international cooperation in education and science, youth engagement, innovation-driven development, creative industries, and the formation of new partnerships among countries and peoples.
The main business programme of the Summit will take place on 30 July 2026 at the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa. Holding the Summit at UNECA highlights its pan-African dimension and creates opportunities for broad international dialogue on humanitarian cooperation and public diplomacy.
The programme will include plenary sessions, strategic dialogues, and expert panels dedicated to values-based development, education, culture, youth leadership, innovation, and international cooperation.
Participation has already been confirmed by Professor Saidou Madougou, Director of the Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of the African Union; Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union and UNECA in Addis Ababa; Zuzana Schwidrowski, Director of the Macroeconomics, Finance and Governance Division of UNECA, as well as ministers, leaders of public organisations, and representatives of the business community from a number of African countries.
On the same day, the ADWA Victory Memorial Museum—Ethiopia’s national memorial complex dedicated to the Victory of Adwa and an important centre for preserving the historical memory of the Ethiopian people—will host the award ceremony of the regional stage of the V International Competition “Leader of Public Diplomacy”, followed by a large-scale cultural programme.
One of the key outcomes of the Summit will be the adoption of the African Communiqué, reflecting proposals and recommendations aimed at strengthening humanitarian, educational, cultural, and public cooperation between African countries and other regions of the world.
The outcomes, initiatives, and recommendations were developed during the World Public Summit. Africa will be presented at the Second World Public Assembly “A New World: Values That Unite”, to be held in Moscow on 18–19 September 2026.
According to Andrey Belyaninov, General Secretary of the World Peoples Assembly, “the Addis Ababa Summit is an important step toward building a new world founded on mutual respect, cultural diversity, dialogue and sustainable development.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The United Kingdom will get its seventh Prime Minister in 10 years as Mr Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday.
The Minister said he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party and will leave office within weeks, scarcely two years after being elected in a landslide.
Mr Starmer says he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen by the party.
Mr Starmer made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes.
He led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then, his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.
His departure was triggered by the victory of Mr Andy Burnham in a special election last week. The popular ex-mayor of Greater Manchester planned to challenge the existing PM for the Labour leadership.
Mr Starmer made the announcement outside the prime minister’s 10 Downing St. residence with a brief statement on Monday.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Mr Starmer said. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
Mr Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to stand outside 10 Downing Street and announce a premature departure.
It comes the day before Britain marks the 10th anniversary of its vote to leave the European Union, a decision that still affects the country’s economy and politics.
Over the past decade, 10 Downing Street has had six occupants, including Mr David Cameron, who left office in 2016 after the Brexit referendum and was succeeded by Ms Theresa May. She was followed by Mr Boris Johnson, whose tenure covered Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic. After Mr Johnson came Ms Liz Truss, whose 49-day premiership was the shortest in British history. Mr Rishi Sunak then took office before being succeeded by Mr Starmer, the outgoing occupant of Number 10.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A financing facility of up to $60 million has been secured by AXIAN Energy, the energy division of the AXIAN Group.
The funding package was provided by MCB, one of the leading financial institutions in the Indian Ocean region.
It comprises a $40 million revolving credit facility with a three-year tenor and extension option, and $20 million in unfunded instruments, providing AXIAN Energy with enhanced financial flexibility, enabling the company to rapidly mobilise resources and seize development opportunities across its target markets.
The energy firm is expected to use the capital to deliver large-scale energy infrastructure projects across Africa.
Over the past two years, AXIAN Energy has significantly accelerated its growth by expanding its renewable energy project pipeline, with solar projects currently under development in Senegal, Benin, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso.
Building on this momentum, AXIAN Energy now operates a portfolio comprising 350 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, supported by 77 MWh of energy storage capacity, positioning the AXIAN Group as a major contributor to Africa’s energy transition.
The chief executive of AXIAN Energy, Mr Benjamin Memmi, said, “This transaction marks a key milestone in AXIAN Energy’s growth trajectory. It provides us with the financial capacity to sustain the momentum we have built over the past two years, further strengthening our renewable energy portfolio and expanding our presence across new African markets.”
Also commenting, the Global Head of Structured Finance at MCB, Mr Mathieu Delteil, said, “We are proud to support AXIAN Energy in structuring this facility, reaffirming our commitment to enabling transformative projects across Africa.
“By leveraging our sector expertise and deep understanding of regional markets, we have delivered a tailored financing solution that aligns with AXIAN’s long-term renewable energy ambitions.
“This partnership highlights our role as a strategic financial partner, mobilising capital towards investments that drive sustainable growth and accelerate the energy transition across the continent.”
The financing agreement between the two organisations strengthens their long-standing relationship because it is driven by a shared commitment to supporting infrastructure development and economic growth across Africa.
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