World
Media Cooperation Between Russia and Africa: Stimulating Joint Projects
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
On March 6, 2025, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation hosted the roundtable Information Bridge: Russia – Africa.
The event was organized by the Expert Council on Development and Support of Comprehensive Partnership with African Countries under the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Alexander M. Babakov, and the Afro-Russian Energy Association.
Representatives from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading Russian and African journalists and editors, well-known bloggers, media company officials from both Russia and Africa, information security specialists, and representatives from analytical centers and research organizations participated in the roundtable.
The event was moderated by Nikolai Novichkov, a deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chairman of the Expert Council. The co-moderator was Yulia Berg, head of the Globus expert club and co-author of the GlobalInsights program on Pan-African television.
Participants of the discussion developed specific proposals and recommendations on using media and the blogosphere to promote Russian-African projects, initiatives, and to expand cooperation between Russia and African countries in the field of media communications.
The event was opened by Alexander Babakov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Expert Council on Development and Support of Comprehensive Partnership with African Countries. He emphasized that the issues in media communication between Russia and Africa cannot be resolved without state participation.
“We will certainly, at least within the framework of the State Duma, look for mechanisms that would primarily prioritize state influence and create conditions under which our state’s information agenda could be implemented. There are many institutes and resources available for this. We need to approach them very carefully and seriously today,” said Babakov.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the existing problems in the media field between Russia and Africa:
“The network of correspondents of Russian and African media has the potential to develop, but it is insufficient. There are no accredited African media in Russia. Interaction with local correspondents exists, but African journalists visit Russia episodically, mainly for major events. Against the backdrop of French and English-speaking media influence and a lack of Russian content, the African audience gets a distorted view of Russia and bilateral cooperation.”
Zakharova also proposed ways to resolve the issues in establishing media relations:
“It is important to continue contacts between Russian and African media. Strengthening cooperation through educational programs, press tours, and major media conferences is essential. Africa’s population is 1.5 billion, half of whom are under 20 years old. This is an age when people want to learn, set goals, and break into the world. Modern technologies create an information environment that cannot be overlooked. We have achievements, but we need more.”
Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, made several proposals to develop media relations between Russia and Africa:
“It is crucial for journalists to understand Africa to avoid mistakes. We are ready to give lectures and cooperate to improve literacy in covering African topics. In large countries, media should broadcast not only in capitals but also in provinces, addressing educational issues as 50% of Africa’s population is under 20 years old.”
“Furthermore, it is important to bring African bloggers to show the reality of Russia and unite efforts to expand the themes and understanding of mutual interests. Africa is young, open to new things, and should not be portrayed only as a poor and hungry territory,” concluded Abramova.
Louis Gowend, Chair of the Commission for African Diaspora Relations and Public Relations at the Russia-Africa Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University, expressed the viewpoint that Irina Olegovna Abramova’s idea of creating a unified information space between Russia and Africa should be implemented.
However, to achieve this, as emphasized by Artur Kureev, Editor-in-Chief of “African Initiative,” it is first necessary to unify all resources and media related to Africa to establish a cohesive agenda. Artur Sergeevich added that a comprehensive strategy and understanding are necessary to determine the most effective way to engage with the African audience. It’s also crucial to assist the African infrastructure and develop it on a Russian foundation, including technological projects for internet development.
Kinfu Zenebe, head of African diasporas, stated that collaboration with media should focus on African media representatives in the Russian Federation. He suggested that the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitate accreditation for representatives of African media in the Russian Federation. Through a mechanism, African countries should also be allowed to establish small bureaus in Moscow, which would serve as a strategic step towards strengthening strong diplomatic ties.
Cameroonian journalist and member of the Globus expert club, Clarissa Waidorven, highlighted the role of media in strengthening Russian-African ties, emphasizing that coverage of these relations in the global media landscape requires attention to both traditional and new media.
“Western media actively influence African narratives by enticing local bloggers. Russia should strategically use media platforms to advance its interests, creating a positive image through media diplomacy.”
Svyatoslav Shchegolev, Head of African Content Production at RT, emphasized the broadcasting challenges in delivering the Russian perspective to the audience:
“Today in Africa, they are finding new ways to convey information to viewers, sometimes in spite of Western pressure. There is a great deal of attention and willingness to cooperate directly from African media. In several countries, this includes state television channels.”
Victoria Smorodina, Editor-in-Chief of International Reporters, provided recommendations for France on “surviving” on the African continent:
“France needs to rethink its information warfare strategy in Africa, acknowledging the break from past influence. Instead of opposing pan-African demands, it should support the creation of an independent Africa by developing local media, culture, cinema, and theater.”
According to the Editor-in-Chief, this approach will help counter the influence of Turkey, the USA, and other powers.
“France’s defeat in the information sphere should stimulate the development of a new doctrine that combines cognitive sovereignty defense with offensive tools. Partnerships with private companies, a legal framework, and structures are needed to regulate information operations,” she argued.
Andrey Gromov, Executive Secretary of the Board of the African-Russian Energy Association (AREA), summarized the roundtable by presenting the resolution’s provisions containing specific recommendations on measures to stimulate Russian-African cooperation in the information sphere.
“We know of many business projects that simply fell apart because there wasn’t enough coverage. We didn’t understand from our side the contribution of the Russian Federation,” he stressed. Following the roundtable, recommendations were sent to the Government of the Russian Federation, in particular to develop and implement a comprehensive program to promote a positive image of Russia in African countries and to counteract the spread of disinformation about Russia in African media.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
At the end of an extensive consultation with African foreign ministers, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has emphasized that Moscow would advance its economic engagement across Africa, admittedly outlining obstacles delaying the prompt implementation of several initiatives set forth in Strategic Action Plan (2023-2026) approved in St. Petersburg during the Russia-Africa Summit.
The second Ministerial Conference, by the Russian Foreign Ministry with support from Roscongress Foundation and the Arab Republic of Egypt, marked an important milestone towards raising bilateral investment and economic cooperation.
In Cairo, the capital city of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Lavrov read out the final resolution script, in a full-packed conference hall, and voiced strong confidence that Moscow would achieve its strategic economic goals with Africa, with support from the African Union (AU) and other Regional Economic blocs in the subsequent years. Despite the complexities posed by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, combined with geopolitical conditions inside the African continent, Moscow however reiterated its position to take serious steps in finding pragmatic prospects for mutual cooperation and improve multifaceted relations with Africa, distinctively in the different sectors: in trade, economic and investment spheres, education and culture, humanitarian and other promising areas.
The main event was the plenary session co-chaired by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptians Abroad Bashar Abdelathi. Welcome messages from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdelhak Sisi were read.
And broadly, the meeting participants compared notes on the most pressing issues on the international and Russian-African agendas, with a focus on the full implementation of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2023-2026, approved at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in 2023.
In addition, on the sidelines of the conference, Lavrov held talks with his African counterparts, and a number of bilateral documents were signed. A thematic event was held with the participation of Russian and African relevant agencies and organizations, aimed at unlocking the potential of trilateral Russia-Egypt-Africa cooperation in trade, economic, and educational spheres.
With changing times, Africa is rapidly becoming one of the key centers of a multipolar world order. It is experiencing a second awakening. Following their long-ago political independence, African countries are increasingly insisting on respect for their sovereignty and their right to independently manage their resources and destiny. Based on these conditions, it was concluded that Moscow begins an effective and comprehensive work on preparing a new three-year Cooperation and Joint Action Plan between Russia and Africa.
Moreover, these important areas of joint practical work are already detailed in the Joint Statement, which was unanimously approved and will serve as an important guideline for future work. According to reports, the Joint Statement reflects the progress of discussions on international and regional issues, as well as matters of global significance.
Following the conference, the Joint Statement adopted reflects shared approaches to addressing challenges and a mutual commitment to strengthening multifaceted cooperation with a view to ensuring high-quality preparation for the third Russia-Africa Summit in 2026.
On December 19-20, the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum was held in Cairo, Egypt. It was held for the first time on the African continent, attended by heads and representatives of the foreign policy ministries of 52 African states and the executive bodies of eight regional integration associations.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Social media platform, TikTok’s Chinese owner ByteDance has signed binding agreements with United States and global investors to operate its business in America.
Half of the joint venture will be owned by a group of investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake and the Emirati investment firm MGX, according to a memo sent by chief executive, Mr Shou Zi Chew.
The deal, which is set to close on January 22, 2026 would end years of efforts by the US government to force ByteDance to sell its US operations over national security concerns.
It is in line with a deal unveiled in September, when US President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a law that would ban the app unless it was sold.
In the memo, TikTok said the deal will enable “over 170 million Americans to continue discovering a world of endless possibilities as part of a vital global community”.
Under the agreement, ByteDance will retain 19.9 per cent of the business, while Oracle, Silver Lake and Abu Dhabi-based MGX will hold 15 per cent each.
Another 30.1 per cent will be held by affiliates of existing ByteDance investors, according to the memo.
The White House previously said that Oracle, which was co-founded by President Trump’s supporter Larry Ellison, will license TikTok’s recommendation algorithm as part of the deal.
The deal comes after a series of delays.
Business Post reported in April 2024 that the administration of President Joe Biden passed a law to ban the app over national security concerns, unless it was sold.
The law was set to go into effect on January 20, 2025 but was pushed back multiple times by President Trump, while his administration worked out a deal to transfer ownership.
President Trump said in September that he had spoken on the phone to China’s President Xi Jinping, who he said had given the deal the go ahead.
The platform’s future remained unclear after the leaders met face to face in October.
The app’s fate was clouded by ongoing tensions between the two nations on trade and other matters.
By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Despite the complexities posed by Russia-Ukraine crisis, United States has been taking conscious steps to improve commercial relations with Russia. Unsurprisingly, Russia, on the other hand, is also moving to restore and normalise its diplomacy, negotiating for direct connections of air-routes and passionate permission to return its diplomats back to Washington and New York.
In the latest developments, Kirill Dmitriev, Chief Executive Officer of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), has been appointed as Russian President’s Special Envoy to United States. This marked an important milestone towards raising bilateral investment and economic cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin tasked him to exclusively promote business dialogue between the two countries, and further to negotiate for the return of U.S. business enterprises. According to authentic reports, United States businesses lost $300+ bn during this Russia-Ukraine crisis, while Russia’s estimated 1,500 diplomats were asked to return to Moscow.
Strategically in late November 2025, the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham) has awarded Kirill Dmitriev, praised him for calculated efforts in promoting positive dialogue between the United States and Russia within the framework decreed by President Vladimir Putin. Chief Executive Officer of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev is the Special Representative of the Russian President for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries. Since his appointment, his primary focus has been on United States.
“Received an American Chamber of Commerce award ‘For leadership in fostering the US-Russia dialogue,’” Dmitriev wrote on his X page, in late November, 2025. According to Dmitriev, more than 150 US companies are currently operating in Russia, with more than 70% of them being present on the Russian market for over 25 years.
In addition, Chamber President Sergey Katyrin and American Chamber of Commerce in Russia (AmCham) President Robert Agee have also been discussing alternatives pathways to raise bilateral business cooperation. Both have held series of meetings throughout this year, indicating the the importance of sustaining relations as previously. Expectedly, the Roscongress Foundation has been offered its platforms during St. Petersburg International Economic (SPIEF) for the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham).
On December 9, Sergey Katyrin and Robert Agee noted that, despite existing problems and non-economic obstacles, the business communities of Russia and the United States proceed from the necessity of maintaining professional dialogue. Despite the worsening geopolitical conditions, Sergey Katyrin and Robert Agee noted the importance of preserving stable channels of trade and pragmatic prospects for economic cooperation. These will further serve as a stabilizing factor and an instrument for building mutual trust at the level of business circles, industry associations, and the expert community.
The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) will be working in the system of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in the Russian Federation, which currently comprises 57,000 legal entities, 130 regional chambers and a combined network of representative offices covering more than 350 points of presence.
According to reports obtained by this article author from the AmCham, promising sectors for Russian-American economic cooperation include healthcare and the medical industry, civil aviation, communications/telecom, natural resource extraction, and energy/energy equipment. The United States and Russia have, more or less, agreed to continue coordinating their work to facilitate the formation of a more favorable environment for Russian and American businesses, reduce risks, and strengthen business ties. Following the American-Russian Dialogue, a joint statement and working documents were adopted.
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