The Valdai Discussion Club published in November 2024 a paper titled "Russia-Africa: Overcoming Challenges" by Vladimir Shubin, Institute of African Studies, Russian Academy of Science.
This paper offers a Russian view of Russia-Africa relations by a well known academic who has specialized in African affairs. He offers a history of Soviet Union/Russia relations with Africa and operates on the assumption that "Russia and Africa need each other."
The author concludes that Russia has had more success enhancing political relations with Africa than economic ties. Trade and Russian investment have fallen short of expectations. Russia is expanding its soft power. For example, 34,000 African students are now studying in Russia. He sees Russian advantages over the West because Moscow does not have a colonial history in the continent.
