Sochi, Russian Federation – 25 October 2019: Sochi hosted the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit on 23 and 24th October 2019 chaired by H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and H.E. Abdel Fattah Al-Sissi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt and Chairperson of the African Union, under the theme “Russia and Africa: Forging Economic Ties, Creating Joint Projects”. The Forum was attended by more than 3,000 delegates including African Heads of States, Ministers and representatives of the business community.

The Forum presented a strategically important step towards creating favourable conditions for the development of trade and economic relations between Africa and the Russian Federation. The event contributed, through a constructive dialogue, to the development of a common position on issues of mutual interests and to bring cooperation to a whole new level.

H.E. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Energy, addressed the opening ceremony of the Russia-Africa Economic Forum where she highlighted the long history of win-win cooperation between Russia and Africa, and the increasing interest of number of Russian companies in doing business on the African continent.
“Africa and Russia have had a long history of collaboration and partnership. It is the right time to take this even further for the mutual benefits of all.” said Dr Abou-Zeid

She went to explain that “Africa is one of the most promising and fast-growing region. The Continent presents a huge ever-growing opportunity for Russian investors who can quickly partner with African investors to get a grip on the market as major partner in the years to come”.

The Commissioner also participated at the panel on “transport infrastructure on the African continent: opportunities to implement joint projects” and presented the existing prospects in the African market in the transport sector for Russian companies and suppliers, as well as the expertise that Russia can bring at the very forefront of construction, planning, engineering, and equipment supplies.

“Africa as a continent offers great investment opportunities in transport infrastructure sector at national, regional and continental levels. We, at African Union Commission, are committed to contribute in putting in place a modern, efficient and affordable transport system that will support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the free movement of people and goods.” declared Commissioner Abou-Zeid

Addressing the panel on “the Eurasian Economic Union and Africa: trends and opportunities to develop integrated processes and collaborate”, the Commissioner highlighted the opportunity that economic integration provides as perspective on crucial regional projects related to infrastructure, logistics, energy, trade, agricultural and industrial development, digitalization and employment.
“We believe that the creation of sizeable regional markets in Africa and Eurasia opens the way for entry into mutually beneficial cooperative arrangements with strategic partners such as Russia and more generally for successful integration of our economies into the global market.” added Dr Abou-Zeid
On the margins of the Summit, AUC has signed the MoU of cooperation intend to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with Eurasian Economic Commission in political, security, economic, social, scientific, technical, humanitarian, cultural and other fields. This MoU seeks to open new prospects of cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and the African Union Member States in different areas, relying on the principles of mutual respect, transparency, mutually beneficial cooperation and equality.

For further information contact
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Media inquiry Contacts:
Sophia Nesri | PIDA Information Analyst | Department of Infrastructure and Energy | African Union Commission I E-mail: sophian@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Esther Azaa Tankou / Head of Information Division / AUC / Tel: +251 911361185 /
E-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org

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