Never underestimate the power of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), also known as CEDEAO in French and Portuguese, created on 28th May 1975 as a regional political and economic union bringing together fifteen (15) countries of West Africa. Per the date of its established, this so-called regional bloc marks its 50th year in 2025, a significant historical celebration. Considered one of the pillar regional blocs of the continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC), ECOWAS generally has its primary common goal of working consistently towards achieving, what is first referred to, as “collective self-sufficiency” for its member states by creating…
Author: Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
The “Burkina Faso Economic Days” forum was held in Moscow, and attended by over 300 participants, including the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela, who led a delegation of several ministers, including the Minister of Industry, as well as representatives from the Burkina Faso government, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomats, and representatives from Russian business circles. Burkina Faso Ambassador to Moscow, Aristide Rapundung Ludovic Tapsoba, highlighted the importance of holding the forum in Russia, noting that it was the first in-person event of this scale since the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant step in…
Popular known as Sochi, this southern coastal city hosted the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum early November 2024. The new dialogue format was introduced following the first and second Russia-Africa summits. Under the patronage of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the first conference, which was attended by more than 40 African foreign ministers and deputies as well as some 1,500 participants, adopted a joint statement pledging to strengthen cooperation in security and economic sectors between African countries and Russia. At the far end of the conference, on the sidelines, Kestér Kenn Klomegâh took this traditional interview (Q&A) with a…
As already known, BRICS is an association of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa joined the association in 2010. The BRICS has a significant influence on regional affairs and very active on the global stage. All of them are members of the G20. While the group has received both praise and criticism from different corners of the world, BRICS is steadily working towards realizing its set goals, bilateral relations among them are conducted on the basis of non-interference, equality and mutual benefits. In this exclusive interview, Associate Professor Elisée Byelongo Isheloke, Rector/Vice Chancellor…
At the Valdai Discussion Club’s meeting held on 7th November 2024, President Vladimir Putin at the plenary session continued to build indepth discussions on Russian and African bilateral relations, Russia’s passion to support Africa’s attainment of economic sovereignty. It was explicitly noted, and this noticeably reflected in the declarations adopted after the first and second Russia-Africa summits, that Africa needs to liberate itself from the trapings of neo-colonialism of the United States and Europe. That was not the first time. Valdai’s experts have been interested in Russia’s policy in Africa, particularly in this contemporary era of evolving multipolar architecture and…
The year 2023 was the year Millet was declared by none other body than the world renowned United Nations as the Crop of the Year. Apart from its nutritional values, scientists have discovered, that millet doesn’t only reverse diabetes (type II) but it also prevents the onset of diabetes. When it’s potentials are exploited to the fullest, millet comes as the best of crops to give optimum attention and consideration for food security on the following grounds. Millet is considered the sixth most important cereal in the world. It is a drought resistant crop and adapts well in less fertile…
Under the aegis of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Roscongress, the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum will host its highly anticipated first Ministerial Conference from 9th–10th November 2024 at the Sirius Federal Territory in the southern coastal city of Sochi. According official reports, this two-day conference will be under the patronage of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the programme includes a plenary session to be attended by officials, and also round tables and discussions focusing on aspects of declarations from the first and second summits respectively held in 2019 (Sochi) and in 2023 (St. Petersburg). The programme architecture released…
After the first and second summits held in Sochi and St. Petersburg, strengthening economic cooperation and deepening Russian-African business relations have taken the central stage which is especially important in the context of global geopolitical changes. Africa is a huge and rapidly developing market that can become a strategic partner for Russia, says Louis Gouend, founder of Hello Africa and founding Executive Director of the African Business Club. In this interview taken by Kestér Kenn Klomegâh late October, after the first international B2B business forum “Russia-Africa Expo 2024” Made in Africa, Louis Gouend offered some useful insights into the dynamics…
With renewed and full-fledged interest to engage in diverse economic sectors across Africa still largely remains full of symbolism and expression of policy interest. Russia considers the existing growth of neo-colonial tendencies as impediments for investment. Rather focusing on its own investment to showcase African leaders and elites within the context of current geopolitical developments, Russian officials are rather criticizing the United States and Europeans for the scramble for resources in Africa. After the first (October 2019) and second (St. Petersburg, July 2023) summits, both Russian and African officials are still at the crossroads over concrete spheres of economic cooperation.…
With geopolitical changes at its height, Russia now considers Africa as its indispensable partner, reviewing and revisiting unfulfilled pledges made decades ago. Even as its interest is seemingly rising, Russia is not practically investing as expected across Africa. Anti-western criticisms dominate its rhetoric at business meetings, summits and conferences. Official travels have become frequent between the first and second Russia-Africa summits held respectively in late October 2019 (Sochi) and in July 2023 (St.Petersburg). Several agreements were signed at both summits with African countries. In late October, the Russian-Tanzanian intergovernmental commission, headed by Russian Economic Development Minister, Maxim Reshetnikov, was in…
On October 26th, the final day of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa, the leaders approved the appointment of Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Leaders further reaffirmed their commitment to tackling global economic, environmental and security challenges, while exploring ways to enhance resilience, sustainable trade and inclusive growth and emphasising the empowerment of youth and women. In a statement to the media, Hon. Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General elect, who became the 7th Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, noted that the…
In this wide-ranging interview, Associate Professor Elisée Byelongo Isheloke, Rector/Vice Chancellor of Université Espoir du Congo (UEC), narrates his experiences of managing an educational institution from scratch, its embryo stage in many ways and with zero-capital, little support and a myriad of challenges. Despite the existing difficulties and challenges, the UEC is steadily becoming a regional powerhouse of knowledge, research and development. The UEC administration will also appreciate any form of assistance and support from external sources. Here are the interview excerpts: What are the peculiarities of managing an educational institution of higher learning, Hope University of Congo which is…
The 16th BRICS+ summit in Kazan, capital of Tatarstan, with Egypt and Ethiopia participating for the first time, has opened a distinctive chapter for Africa, particularly to seize emerging opportunities for driving further economic growth, sustainable development and regional collaboration. BRICS+ (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) has witnessed the second wave of enlargement after South Africa joined in 2010. BRICS+ has also undergone structural and organizational changes, and now being described as non-western association, its primary goals to enhance economic integration with key emerging nations, fostering trade, investment, development, security, and cooperation among leading emerging market economies. The…
Within the context of geopolitical changes, the 16th annual BRICS+ (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit held in late October 2024 in Kazan, the capital of Republic of Tatarstan, focused of reviewing its organizational structure, emerging challenges, its strategic enlargement and future economic perspectives. According to Kremlin statements, more than 20 heads of state and government, mainly from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, have travelled to Kazan. It was historically symbolic: Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted more than 20 world leaders primarily to advance his shared idea of a “multipolar world” as a bulwark against United States dominance…
The first international Russia-Africa B2B business forum and expo 2024 — Made in Africa — took place on October 16th. Organized by the Russia-Africa Club of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, the Patrice Lumumba People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), the African Business Club, and the Russian Foundation for Peace, the forum aimed to open new horizons for cooperation between Russia and African countries. The forum was attended by representatives of government bodies, businesses, and state corporations from Russia and Africa. The forum was truly nationwide, with representatives from Russian businesses in Tula, Yaroslavl, Khabarovsk Krai, Tyumen Oblast,…
In this insightful interview, Architect Eric Eyutchae, National Vice President of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), an Enugu-based socio-political organization which focuses on the development of South East Nigeria, on the eve of XVI BRICS summit in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, discusses Africa’s political and development pitfalls, evolutionary features of BRICS+ Association, its current challenges and implications for Africa and the entire Global South. Here are the interview excerpts: How would you argue the fact that under Russia presidency, BRICS+ has consolidated its position in Africa? Architect Eric Eyutchae: BRICS is basically redesigning the economic, political and social landscape in Africa,…
Russia hosted the BRICS+ Business Council Forum 2024 which primarily seeks to build an alternative economic world. The BRICS association comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, and now has enlarged to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. It is therefore strongly considered as a powerful counterweight to the West in global politics, economics and trade. As Russia holds the rotating chairmanship this 2024, President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session of the BRICS+ Business Council which attracted over 1,000 representatives of the business community, including heads of companies, associations, unions of entrepreneurs, and chambers of…
Geopolitical changes and the reconfiguration of economic architecture towards the Global South, under the rapidly growing influence of BRICS+ (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on the global stage are driving majority of African States to move away the United States draconic hegemony, its hidden ambiguity and obscurity, as well as rules-based political order combined with authoritarianism. Without much doubt, African States are increasingly showing skyline interest in BRICS+, primarily due to its distinctive-focused objectives including global peace, the strategic development paradigms, food and energy security directions in the 21st century and beyond. Ultimately, African States are shrugging off…
During the Soviet times, Patrice Lumumba resonated with Soviet’s propaganda especially in Africa. It was closely linked with educational institution for educating and training of specialists for Africa’s development and economic growth. Thousands of young African specialists were trained and educated at the Patrice Lumumba University named after the Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, and that practice continues until today. Established in 1960, it primarily provided higher education to Third World students during the Soviet days. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the name of the Congolese leader, Patrice Lumumba, was removed. But that was fixed back in April 2023…
Russian Foreign Ministry has clarified that visa-free regime for African countries is still under serious review, diplomatic talks with different countries on the drafts of visa-free travel agreements undergoing different stages as each of them has its own specifics. On 2nd October 2024, Russian Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department Head Alexey Klimov said in an interview with local Russian media said: “Russia is currently working out travel agreements on abolishing visa requirements and providing visa-free entry for short-term trips, usually up to 90 days, with a number of friendly states, nine of them being the countries of Africa and the Middle…
In this interview, Stephen Manzini, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Soweto Fashion Week, and Member of the International Committee of BRICS Fashion Summit, discusses some steps that would strengthen cultural and business ties, and to a large extent, address pressing issues like geopolitics, innovation and sustainable development. For the emerging geopolitical situation to take an invaluable shape, platforms such as Russia-Africa Summit and BRICS+ Summits have to identify the existing challenges, design pathways and perhaps to take vigorous actions very important for emerging economies and in the Global South. Here are the interview excerpts: How is Africa taking advantage…
After several years of mounting fierce criticisms over the operations and performance of International Monetary Fund [IMF] and consistently advocated for its structural reforms, Russia has reversed its position to get back into and strengthen its position with this reputable multilateral financial organization. With the current geopolitical shift which is reshaping the world’s economic architecture, Russia has been [re]prioritising its association by a fresh announcement over an appointment of a representative with IMF. In February 2024, the International Monetary Fund [IMF] endorsed Russia’s macroeconomic programmes, further describing it as admirable steps, and primarily with pivotal development initiatives which is integral to its…
Understanding Russia’s unwavering steps toward empowering women, exploring possible pathways to unite and shape their long-term aspirations on the social and political landscape became the main focus agenda at the 4th Eurasian Women’s Forum held at the Tauride Palace in St. Petersburg on September 18 to 20, 2024. This forum was established to build a new and progressive women’s world and support women to higher stage of prominence in creative, managerial and intellectual as well as political leadership. An insight into this platform discussions underlined the fact that developing female leadership and entrepreneurship have been the main unique target, guiding…
In this interview, Antoine SOMDAH, former ambassador of Burkina Faso to the Russian Federation, an expert in international law and nuclear law, and a member of the United Nations Security Council (2008 and 2009), critically assesses the importance of the newly created Alliance of Sahel States (AES), its implications, the challenges and future prospects in West Africa. This marked a major geopolitical turning point in the Sahel region for the three Republics of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. It also signified the final withdrawal from the regional economic organization ECOWAS. Here are the interview excerpts: How would you assess the…
At the United Nations Security Council in New York, Africa has made a significant headway in an anticipation for consolidating its position and raise the possibility of forging further cooperation towards securing two permanent seats. After several months of advocating for structural reforms, backed by many developing countries and a number of great powers including China and Russia, the UNSC would grant Africa two seats at the table, thanks to speeches by U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio. In mid-August 2024, the Sierra Leonean president said Africa could not wait any longer to get a…
During their first meeting in Moscow, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his colleague, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, noted publicly that bilateral trade between Russia and Egypt has grown significantly over the past year, and Moscow and Cairo are determined to maintain this trend in the subsequent years. “The positive dynamics of our trade and economic interaction is quite encouraging, as the volume of bilateral trade totaled over $7 billion last year, exceeding significantly the previous year’s figures. It is our common determination to do all we can for this positive trend to continue and strengthen. We attached special significance…
Under Russia’s BRICS presidency, Moscow hosted the 7th BRICS Media Summit on September 13-15, which gathered the heads of leading media outlets from the association’s member states and the countries that have applied to join BRICS+. It was primarily held to increase the role of the media in the process of shaping the future of a multipolar world. It was founded at the initiative of Xinhua 10 years ago. Noting that BRICS+ is a real force with political, economic and humanitarian dimensions, it has become necessary to coordinate their actions in order to build a new and fair world order.…
Unbelievably, it was a fiction of political crash with the highest preposterous sound in 1991, it was indeed the final end of the powerful Soviet Union formed on the legitimate toil and sweat of the proletariat in 1917. Throughout its long decades, it unreservedly supported the political liberation struggle of third-world countries, majority of these located across Africa. Within Africa itself, the work of Presidents Gamel Abdel Nassar, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Nelson Mandela, Col. Muamar Gaddafi, et cetera, was considered a living force in the overwhelming support for attaining political independence which was, as a collective, finally declared…
First-ever Leo Tolstoy Peace Prize was awarded to African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat by Jury President and Bolshoi Theater Director Valery Gergiev in a modest and memorable ceremony on September 9th in Moscow. The International Tolstoy Peace Prize Foundation dedicated its first edition to Africa by making the African Union the first recipient of the Lev Nikolaievitch Tolstoy Peace Prize. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the jury, high-profile public persons of the Russian Federation, international guests, ambassadors of the Prize, scientists, diplomats, parliamentarians, famous cultural professionals, as well as international students studying in the Russian Federation. The…
After several months of negotiations, Moscow finally erected a memorable statue, honoring South Africa’s most revered political leader and reconciliatory hero, Nelson Mandela. The statue, located in an obscure corner in southwestern district of Moscow city, became a new symbol of friendship between Russia and South Africa, and possibly with other African countries. On September 9, 2024, Moscow witnessed an important cultural and historical event – the unveiling of a monument to Nelson Mandela, symbolizing the recognition of his incredible contribution to the fight for human rights and the liberation from colonial oppression on the African continent. The monument was…
