Business Programme Architecture Released for Russia–Africa Economic Forum

The first Russia–Africa Economic Forum will be held in conjunction with the Russia–Africa Summit in Sochi on 23–24 October 2019. The plenary session will centre around the main theme of the Forum – ‘Uncovering the Potential for Cooperation’. Participants will discuss key areas for cooperation based on three thematic pillars: ‘Forging Economic Ties’, ‘Creating Joint Projects’, and ‘Collaborating in the Humanitarian and Social Sector’.

“It’s difficult to overstate the importance of Russia and the countries of Africa developing cooperation. Africa is not only a promising sales market, but also a strategically important partner in scientific and technical cooperation and the development of oil and gas projects, agribusiness, and the Russian Industrial Zone. The Russia–Africa Forum’s programme covers the entire range of pressing issues in cooperation and growth points. I am certain that the Forum will become a meaningful and high-profile platform and will mark the beginning of a new stage in Russian-African cooperation”, Adviser to the Russian President and Executive Secretary of the Organizing Committee Anton Kobyakov said.

The Forum’s business sessions will focus on limitations and opportunities for doing business in Africa, security risks, prospects for economic development and digital transformation, cooperation in nuclear technologies, and ways to improve the quality of life on the continent. The participants will also discuss joint projects in the oil and gas industry and transport infrastructure as well as collaboration between Russian and African banks. One of the central themes will be the Russian Industrial Zone that is set to operate in Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone. A youth programme will make up a separate pillar of the Forum.

More than 3,000 representatives of African business as well as CEOs of Russian companies and leading international experts will take part in the discussions held as part of the Russia–Africa Forum’s business programme. A large number of cooperation agreements are to be signed in various sectors. The Forum will help to unlock the potential of the current economic agenda and contribute to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and the African continent.