MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Russian investment in Africa should be concentrated in countries and projects where established trade flows or anticipated long-term demand already exist, according to the authors of a report titled "Africa’s Investment Landscape: Conditions, Opportunities, and Models for Russian Business Presence," prepared by the Financial University, the Roscongress Foundation, and Vedomosti business newspaper.
The report noted that Russia’s offerings to Africa have a distinct sectoral focus. Investments are most frequently associated with energy, nuclear technologies, mineral fertilizers, geology, mining, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, transportation solutions, and education.
Meanwhile, Chinese companies primarily invest in large-scale infrastructure and production chains, companies from the Gulf states favor logistics, energy, and real estate, while Western companies focus on mining, finance, and services. "It would be more rational for Russia to focus its capital where technological expertise is combined with existing trade flows or guaranteed long-term demand," the report’s authors believe.
Russia holds strong positions in the agricultural sector, where Russian suppliers account for approximately 20% of the African fertilizer market, as well as in energy, particularly when it comes to large integrated projects, and mining, where Russian expertise can be applied not only through asset acquisitions but also through geological exploration, engineering services, equipment supplies, and energy provision.
Russia is also interested in exporting educational services to Africa. "This interest is linked to training specialists for projects, as shortages of qualified personnel often directly limit the extent to which operations can be localized," the report said.