Surging Africa-Russia Ties in 2024: A Game-Changer for Global Relations

2024 Africa-Russia Relations Surge: Unprecedented Milestones and Growing Partnerships”

In 2024, Russia’s relations with African nations have taken a major leap forward, showcasing both significant growth and intricate developments. This surge in relations is being shaped by new partnerships, political shifts, and the inclusion of more African countries in global organizations, especially under Russia’s chairmanship. From economic investments to humanitarian aid and military cooperation, the evolving relationship is gradually becoming a key pillar of Russia’s foreign policy.

This year has seen Russia’s diplomatic footprint across Africa strengthen, as nations look to Moscow for economic and strategic support. Many African countries, even those without long-standing political ties with Russia, are finding reasons to connect with Moscow. As a result, 2024 has brought about a remarkable transformation in Africa-Russia relations, one that is increasingly setting the stage for a new world order.

BRICS Expansion: A New Chapter for Africa

One of the most notable milestones in 2024 was the expansion of BRICS, the influential economic bloc, under Russia’s leadership. This expansion, first announced in 2023, officially took effect on January 1, 2024. Ethiopia and Egypt were among the newest members to join during Russia’s BRICS chairmanship. This development is a significant win for these African countries, offering them a platform to bolster their economic and political influence on the global stage.

For Ethiopia, joining BRICS is a golden opportunity to attract foreign investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and industry. The country’s move into BRICS is expected to open up new markets for Ethiopian products and foster the growth of key sectors.

Meanwhile, Egypt, strategically positioned at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, stands to benefit from its membership. With control over the Suez Canal, Egypt is set to become a critical transportation and energy hub in BRICS. The membership will also provide Egypt access to crucial funding from the New Development Bank, helping to tackle its rising national debt and expand economic growth.

In addition, Algeria’s successful application to join the New Development Bank marks another significant achievement for the region. As a large economy in Africa, Algeria’s membership in the bank will not only provide much-needed capital but also contribute to the growth of the bank’s funding pool, positioning the country as both a donor and a recipient.

During the October 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, the member countries established a new framework for collaboration with other developing nations. The “partner” framework introduced Uganda as one of the first countries invited to join BRICS as a partner, highlighting Russia’s growing influence in Africa.

Vsevolod Sviridov, a deputy director at the Centre for African Studies at Russia’s Higher School of Economics, commented on the success of this expansion: “The growing demand for cooperation with BRICS from African countries and the coordinated efforts within BRICS to address Africa’s needs complement Russia’s influence in Africa. This offers a unique opportunity to pursue more comprehensive, multilateral projects with partners like China, India, and the UAE.”

First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Forum: A New Beginning

Another major development in 2024 was the First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which took place in November. The conference, which brought together over 40 ministers from across Africa, marked a critical moment for Russia-Africa relations. Held over three days, the talks focused on strengthening ties and addressing a variety of global and regional challenges.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s leadership during the conference emphasized Russia’s growing diplomatic involvement on the African continent. The agreements reached during the conference reflect a shared commitment to tackling issues such as economic development, security, and environmental concerns.

This first-of-its-kind forum is set to become a regular event, with future conferences possibly being hosted in Africa, offering even greater opportunities for dialogue and cooperation.

Continuous High-Level Engagement with African Nations

Russia’s relationship with African nations is not just about formal conferences but also about consistent, high-level engagement. In 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin held multiple bilateral talks with the leaders of nine African nations, including Guinea-Bissau, Egypt, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

These meetings underscored the importance of Russia’s continued diplomatic presence in Africa. One of the standout visits was that of Chadian President Mahamat Deby to Moscow in January 2024, the first visit of a Chadian head of state to Russia since 1968.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also toured several African nations in the Sahel region, including Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad. These visits, which were once seen as exceptional, have now become more frequent, signalling the growing importance of Russia-Africa relations.

In addition to these political engagements, 2024 witnessed Russian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak, visiting countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The delegation, which included high-ranking officials from Russia’s energy, finance, and economic sectors, sought to expand trade relations and explore new areas of cooperation beyond security.

Business forums were held in countries like Tanzania and Zimbabwe, and Russian companies continue to invest in Africa, focusing on sectors such as energy, agriculture, and technology. These initiatives, coupled with a strong emphasis on digitalization and education, are fostering deeper ties between Russia and Africa.

New Investment Fund: A Boost for Africa’s Growth

A critical element of Russia’s evolving relations with Africa is the establishment of an investment support fund, which aims to co-finance energy and mining projects across the continent. The fund, which is expected to become operational in 2025, will channel at least $2 billion into Africa’s economy, leveraging both public and private investments.

This fund represents a significant step in Russia’s commitment to sustainable economic development in Africa. It will help Russian companies enter African markets and support infrastructure projects that align with both Russia’s and Africa’s long-term development goals.

Humanitarian Aid: Free Grain Shipments to Africa

Humanitarian cooperation is another important aspect of Russia-Africa relations. In 2024, Russia delivered 200,000 tons of grain as free aid to six African nations, including Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and Mali. This humanitarian gesture, which was personally announced by President Putin, underscores Russia’s growing role as a direct partner in addressing food security challenges in Africa.

The grain shipments, worth approximately $60 million, were made without the involvement of international organizations or intermediaries, giving Russia a unique position in providing food aid. This move is seen as a significant step in establishing a more independent and sovereign food supply chain for African nations.

Military Cooperation: Strengthening Africa’s Defense Capabilities

2024 also marked a major step forward in military collaboration between Russia and several African countries. Russian military personnel were officially deployed to Niger and Burkina Faso as part of the Russian Defense Ministry’s Africa Corps, tasked with training local forces and providing technical support.

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This military engagement aligns with Russia’s broader strategy of fostering African solutions to African problems. By enhancing the defence capabilities of African nations, Russia is helping to build self-reliance in the region, focusing on sovereignty and stability.

Russia’s Growing Diplomatic Presence

In 2024, Russia reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso, signalling a renewed commitment to Africa after a period of diplomatic isolation during the 1990s. The Russian embassy in Equatorial Guinea was also opened this year, with plans underway to establish new diplomatic missions in several other African countries, including Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan.

These actions demonstrate that Russia is gradually overcoming past challenges and is keen to strengthen its ties with the African continent.

Labour Migration: A Growing Trend

A notable trend in 2024 is the increasing migration of African workers to Russia. This growing workforce is providing Russia with much-needed labour in various sectors, from construction to management. For African countries, migration offers opportunities for workers to seek better employment conditions and improve their economic prospects.

However, this increase in migration also brings challenges, such as potential social tensions and the need for effective integration of migrant workers into Russian society. As Vsevolod Sviridov notes, Russia must address issues like xenophobia and racism to ensure that the migration process remains smooth and beneficial for both Russia and the African nations involved.

Training and Education: Strengthening Expertise

Russia is also investing in education and training programs for both Russians and Africans. The Higher School of Economics in Russia launched an “Africa Academic Track” in 2024, aiming to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to cooperate with African countries in sectors like economics and international relations.

Furthermore, Russia has published a new handbook, “Africa 2025: Prospects and Challenges,” which provides in-depth insights into Africa’s development challenges and opportunities. This guide reflects Russia’s growing interest in engaging with African nations on a deeper level, beyond mere political alliances, to support mutual economic and social growth.

What to know!

The year 2024 has been a turning point for Africa-Russia relations. The progress seen in various sectors, from diplomacy to trade, military cooperation, and humanitarian support, reflects a broader trend of growing partnership between Russia and African nations. As both sides continue to deepen their ties, the year ahead promises even more opportunities for collaboration, with Russia playing a central role in shaping Africa’s economic and political future.