Russia to assist Africa develop national energy

KAMPALA - Russia plans to increase its assistance to the development of the national energy sector in African states, Russian president, Vladimir Putin has said.

According to a press release, Putin made the revelation during his speech at the ongoing BRICS Summit in South Africa.

The BRICS summit is an international relations conference attended by the heads of government of the five member states, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Also in attendance is the Ugandan delegation led by Sam Kuteesa Minister of Foreign Affairs received President Museveni who is accompanied by the First Lady and Minister for Education, Janet Kataaha Museveni.

South Africa, in its role as Chair of the tenth BRICS has chosen the theme: "BRICS in Africa: Collaboration for inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the fourth Industrial Revolution".

The Summit seeks to strengthen the relationship between BRICS member states and Africa.

"I would like to note in particular that Russia plans to increase its assistance to the development of the national energy sector in African states.

"We are implementing promising oil and gas projects with a number of countries, such as Angola, Mozambique, and Gabon," Putin said.

He continued that in the nuclear power industry, where Russia is a technological leader, Russia offers its African partners the creation of an entire industry on a turnkey basis.

"Agreements on cooperation in the field of atoms for peace have been signed with a number of countries in the region, while in some of them the work has acquired a practical dimension.

"All these projects will be of strategic importance for Africa, where, according to different estimates, as many as 600 million people still live without electricity," he noted.

He added that a considerable part of Russian initiatives provides for localising industrial businesses in Africa, including, among other things, the construction of plants manufacturing component parts and assembly works.

The implementation of these joint projects will serve to strengthen the industrial potential, support local businesses and create new and well-paid jobs.

On the whole, this will lead to an improvement in living standards and a solution of social problems in African states.

He further noted that Russia's trade with African states grew by more than 25% in 2017, food supplies increased by 38%, metals by 30, machinery and equipment by 24 percent.

"Russian businesses are interested in working with African partners in a variety of areas, including industry, agriculture, healthcare, communications, geology and mining."

What's more, the amount of Russian assistance to Africa exceeded one billion dollars in 2017.

Russian contributions to the World Food Programme fund are constantly growing. Russia is the fifth biggest contributor to the UNIDO Industrial Development Fund.

"Considerable funds are remitted to the World Health Organisation for the fight against non-infectious diseases on the African continent. Our work to combat the Ebola virus has proved highly efficient," he said.

Those invited included the leaders of African countries, namely,Uganda, Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gabon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The meeting was also attended by the heads of Argentina (the current chair of the G20), Turkey (the current chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) and Jamaica (the current chair of the Caribbean Community).