Imagine a continent brimming with untapped natural wealth, on the verge of forging groundbreaking alliances that could redefine global trade and industry dynamics—Africa's mining sector stands at the heart of a promising trilateral collaboration with Russia and China, promising opportunities that excite and intrigue experts worldwide.
This compelling narrative unfolded during the second international forum known as "Russia-Africa Expo-2025," where a focused roundtable discussion explored "The Potential of Africa’s Mining Industry: New Opportunities for Cooperation with Russia and China." Hosted in the conference hall of the Financial and Business Association of Euro-Asian Cooperation (FBAEAC), this gathering acted as a vital hub for bolstering the partnership between Russia, China, and Africa in areas like industrial growth and technological advancement. But here's where it gets controversial—could this alliance truly uplift Africa's economies, or might it deepen historical disparities in resource exploitation? We'll dive deeper into that soon.
The roundtable was skillfully arranged by the FBA EAC, with support from a lineup of esteemed co-organizers, including the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Council for Financial, Industrial, and Investment Policy, the Peace Foundation, the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), and the firm "Kapital-Info." Together, they ensured a platform that bridged diverse stakeholders for meaningful dialogue.
Drawing in over 70 attendees—including diplomats, business leaders, academics, and reps from international bodies—the event featured delegations from more than 15 African nations, plus representatives from Russia, China, and even Iran. This diverse assembly underscored the cross-continental appeal of Africa's mining prospects, which include abundant minerals like gold, diamonds, uranium, and cobalt essential for modern technologies such as batteries for electric vehicles and smartphones. For beginners curious about mining, think of it as extracting these valuable resources from the earth, but sustainably to avoid environmental harm—Africa holds about 30% of the world's known mineral reserves, making it a global powerhouse in the making.
The Chinese contingent made a notable impact, reinforcing the hands-on spirit of trilateral ties. Key figures included Sun Yongjun, First Secretary at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, and Liu Yan, Second Secretary, alongside online participants from “Chongqing Pump Plant” like Su Ao, Ji Xiaodong, Yang Jiaquan, Yang Yiguang, and Wang Renjie. Their involvement signaled China's eagerness to roll up its sleeves for real-world mining ventures, such as joint explorations or equipment-sharing initiatives.
From the African perspective, a broad spectrum of voices contributed, ranging from high-level diplomats to business innovators. Notable attendees were Jean Rick Biyaya Kadievu, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Embassy in Russia; Sid’Ahmed Cheikh Ould Aichetou, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania; Eric Rubayita, Counsellor at Rwanda's Embassy; Diarra Hadja Niamé Mariam Fofana, President of the Program of Consultations and Actions for Women Leaders of Mali; Gerry Mane, Chairman of the National Regulatory Authority for Communications and IT in Guinea-Bissau; Pierre Bangourou from Africa International Trade Connection in Côte d’Ivoire; Yumssi Tichuè of Général Import Export SARL in Cameroon; Amadou Demba Sy from Demba Mining & Frères, also in Cameroon; and Domou Nouble Bruno Alkis of GIES in Cameroon. Their talks stressed Africa's enthusiasm for welcoming foreign capital, embracing cutting-edge tech, and establishing eco-friendly supply networks. For instance, they highlighted logistics—think efficient transport of minerals—and training programs to build skilled local workforces, while addressing environmental concerns like reducing pollution from mining operations.
Adding to the international flavor, Iran was represented by Mehdi Rezazadeh, founder and general director of ZedPay Financial System & Services P.J.S.C., emphasizing how financial tech could support broader regional projects beyond just mining.
Opening remarks set a positive tone: Li Shaobin, FBA EAC President, greeted attendees by pointing out how partnering with Africa in mining could expand horizons for Eurasian commerce. Ivan Borisovich Arkhipov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, echoed this by stressing the value of deepening cultural and economic bonds.
Sergey Korotkov, Advisor to the FBA EAC President, relayed a message from Vitaly Vovk, Deputy Director of the Industrial Policy Department of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EAEC). Vovk praised the talks as a fresh drive for specialized partnerships and affirmed the EAEC's commitment to crafting practical collaboration tools.
One standout was the presentation by Roman Isakov, a seasoned mining expert, who shared insights on “Technologies and Standards of Russian Mining Companies,” offering a glimpse into Russia's advanced extraction methods and safety protocols.
Anatoly Tkachuk, a board member of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and leader of the Center for International Projects and Programs at the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE), outlined how these bodies facilitate shared mining initiatives.
Other Russian participants included Daria Michurina (RSPP), Yury Malakhov (Association of Machinery Manufacturers of Kuzbass), Alexander Kotlyarsky (PROMTEK LLC, First Vice President of FBA EAC), Anton Vasilyev (SPARTA LLC, Member of FBA EAC), Alexandra Matveeva (IBEC), Viktor Lazutin (RF CCI), and Igor Khmelkov (NOBIS Company), each bringing expertise to the table.
The discussion was expertly guided by moderators Louis Gouend—founder and president of the African Business Club, chair of the “Russia-Africa Expo-2025” organizing committee, and head of the Cameroonian Diaspora in Russia—and Anna Geroldovna Bezdudnaya, an economist and professor heading the Department of Management and Innovations at SPbSUE, executive director of the R&D Center for Arctic Environmental-Economic Research, and editor-in-chief of the “FBA EAC Herald” journal.
Delving into the meat of the matter, the group tackled topics like forming shared task forces and industry hubs, launching partnerships, training experts, securing funding, enforcing green standards, and improving supply routes. For example, imagine joint ventures where Russian tech meets African resources to produce cleaner, more efficient mines— this could serve as a model for sustainable development.
Post-event reflections emphasized the urgency of aligning efforts across businesses, research institutions, and governments to turn ideas into real investments and learning opportunities in mining.
And this is the part most people miss—the key takeaways and suggestions from the discussion were crystal clear:
(i) Quickly forming specialized teams to brainstorm and launch trial projects.
(ii) Boosting the sharing of tech and machinery, with direct input from producers and engineers.
(iii) Creating collaborative training and exchange programs to educate skilled workers.
(iv) Enhancing support through guarantees and financial aids for projects.
(v) Adopting consistent eco-friendly rules and practices for long-term growth.
In today's shifting global economy, Russian firms are ramping up their focus on African investments, ready to pour in capital—especially in energy, tech, and infrastructure—and vie with other international competitors. Africa is undeniably emerging as a major force, drawing in external interests. But here's the lingering debate: Can these proposed steps swiftly close past investment shortfalls, and will the deals from ‘Russia-Africa Expo-2025’ genuinely yield concrete benefits for African nations, or might they favor foreign powers at the expense of local empowerment?
What do you think—does this partnership represent a win-win for all involved, or is it a potential imbalance that could widen inequalities? Share your thoughts in the comments; do you agree that sustainable mining could transform Africa, or fear it might echo colonial-era exploits? We'd love to hear your perspective!
Kester Kenn Klomegah (https://moderndiplomacy.eu/author/kkester/)
MD Africa Editor
Kester Kenn Klomegah is a freelance researcher and author specializing in African issues across Eurasia and the former Soviet Union. His past writing appeared in outlets like African Press Agency, African Executive, and Inter Press Service. He also contributed to The Moscow Times, a respected English daily. Klomegah occasionally taught at the Moscow Institute of Modern Journalism and pursued studies in international journalism and media studies, followed by a year at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. He co-wrote the book “AIDS/HIV and Men: Taking Risk or Taking Responsibility,” released by the London-based Panos Institute. In 2004 and again in 2009, he secured the Golden Word Prize for insightful pieces on Russia's economic ties with African lands.
