Russia-Africa Summit: How Putin Is Challenging the U.S. And China in New Continental Race

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https://www.newsweek.com/russia-africa-summit-vladimir-putin-challenging-u-s-china-new-continental-race-sochi-1466966

Russia-Africa Summit: How Putin Is Challenging the U.S. And China in New Continental Race

By David Brennan On 10/22/19 at 11:36 AM EDT

Russian President Vladimir Putin will this week welcome dozens of African leaders to a new summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, representing a significant milestone in Russia's ongoing outreach project to the continent.

The two-day Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum will bring African leaders to Sochi, where Putin will be hoping to gain an edge on the other powers vying for influence and commercial opportunities in Africa, including the U.S. and China.

Africa has massive economic and political potential. Around 60 percent of the continent's population—which is growing rapidly—is under the age of 25, offering a vast pool of workers even if many are not yet highly skilled. The continent has abundant natural resources and since 2000 its combined GDP has grown by 5.1 percent per year on average.

Poverty, inequality, poor infrastructure, political instability and climate change all still hobble Africa's potential. Nonetheless, the world's economic powerhouses are being drawn to African nations. They are bringing with them huge investment that has prompted some to term this era a new "scramble" for Africa.

Among them is Russia, though its footprint on the continent is thus far much smaller than those of its rivals. This week's summit is part of its efforts to shift the balance more in its favor. In an interview with state news agency Tass published this weekend, Putin said the summit would focus on "African solutions to African problems."

The Kremlin has sought to portray Russia as a more sympathetic partner for African nations compared with the U.S. and China—two of the leading foreign investment giants.
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