The Algerian ambassador to Russia, Guennad Boumediene, has emphasized the potential for enhanced cooperation between Russia and African nations despite existing challenges in trade and payment systems. Speaking to Russian media, Boumediene underscored the importance of aligning joint projects with Africa’s long-term development goals outlined in the Agenda 2063 framework.

“Africa will be grateful to Russia for considering projects aligned with Africa’s development agenda up to 2063. At the same time, Russia offers unique services in terms of cost and quality. This would be beneficial for Africans,” Boumediene stated.

While expressing optimism about future collaboration, the ambassador acknowledged significant hurdles that need to be addressed. He highlighted the necessity for both Russia and African nations to prioritize strategies for overcoming payment and transportation barriers. The trade balance between Russia and Africa currently stands at under $25 billion annually, and Russian investments across the continent remain limited.

Despite these challenges, Boumediene pointed out the growing momentum in partnerships across various sectors. “As for Russia’s role in Africa, we have seen many African countries engage in intensive discussions to launch or advance joint projects in various fields: primarily in security, energy, nuclear power, agriculture, healthcare, space, and so on,” he added.

The diplomat’s remarks highlight both the opportunities and complexities in strengthening Russia-Africa ties. African nations are increasingly exploring avenues to diversify partnerships and investments in critical areas such as energy and infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia’s expertise in key sectors presents an opportunity for mutual benefit, provided that logistical and financial obstacles are effectively addressed.

As discussions progress, the success of this cooperation will depend on innovative solutions to streamline trade and investments while aligning projects with Africa’s broader development vision. The evolving partnership between Russia and Africa will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the continent’s economic landscape in the years to come.