I. O. ABRAMOVA

Doctor of Economics

L. L. FITUNI

Doctor of Economics

Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences

Keywords: Africa, Russia, cooperation, African Business Initiative

The events of 2014-2016 related to the military conflict in Ukraine, the introduction of economic sanctions and counter-sanctions, and the deterioration of the situation on the energy market show that structural restructuring of the Russian economy is a strategic task to ensure national security. The transition to active import substitution should stimulate the accelerated development of knowledge-intensive and high-tech industries, as well as industrial modernization, which, ultimately, will ensure the transition from the raw material orientation of the Russian economy to an innovative path of development.

In connection with the attempts of Western states to isolate Russia, it is particularly important to expand the list of new promising foreign economic partners and turn the vector of Russian foreign policy not only to the East, but also to the South, namely towards the African continent.

Africa could be one of the most effective and breakthrough solutions for Russia's recovery from the crisis. This is a compact, clear and appropriate facility for possible economic expansion in a number of industries whose products are closed to the markets of Western countries, as well as a promising supplier of agricultural and raw materials needed by the Russian consumer.

Russian-African relations have a significant and growing resource for advancing Russia's national priorities. This concerns expanding cooperation with Africans in the international arena in the context of overlapping or close positions on the formation of a new international order and other key international issues, which increases the opportunities for consolidating Russia's position as an independent and influential center of world politics.

The presence on African markets of favorable conditions for the implementation of the remaining competitive advantages (in particular, price) of Russian industrial goods, machine-building products, and military-industrial complex products, as well as the expansion of opportunities in promoting Russian innovative technologies, scientific and technical, educational, medical, and other services can contribute to the successful implementation of the Russian import substitution policy. At the same time, the development of Russian-African trade and economic cooperation seems to be an effective tool for solving the problems of providing Russian industry with scarce and financially least expensive types of mineral raw materials.

The article was prepared with the financial support of the Russian State Scientific Foundation. Grant 16-07-00010 "African vector of fundamental transformation of the economic structure of the Russian Federation in the new geopolitical conditions".

Africa is a world-class monopolist in the reserves of many types of which.

For Africans, Russia still appears as the most likely ally in defending its interests on the world stage, as a natural counterweight to the hegemonic aspirations of one or a group of world powers.

Unfortunately, in the eyes of the Russian political establishment and the business community, there is still a perception of Africa as a continent of insurmountable poverty, endless wars and epidemics, stuck in pre-industrial stages of development and surviving only thanks to international assistance. Meanwhile, there was and still is another Africa-Africa of rapid economic growth (5% or more per year over the past 20 years) ¹, dynamic formation of democratic governance systems, modern structures and institutions of the market economy, a major player in the markets of natural and labor resources, a key source of global demand growth, and a profitable sector investment operations ².

In recent years, Russia's relations with African countries have begun to develop more dynamically. The political dialogue is deepening and becoming more active, as well as economic, humanitarian and cultural cooperation. This is facilitated by high-level and high-level negotiations. In May 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe in Moscow, as well as with South African President John Kerry. Zuma.

On July 8, 2015, at the BRICS summit in Ufa, Vladimir Putin met again with the President of the Republic of South Africa, J. Zuma. The meeting focused on further development of the Russian-South African strategic partnership and strengthening ties in the international arena. The two leaders paid special attention to the diversification of trade and economic cooperation, the development of investment ties, and the expansion of humanitarian contacts. In addition, the Presidents exchanged views on a number of topical international issues, as well as issues of cooperation within multilateral organizations and regional integration associations.³

March 15, 2016 Vladimir Putin met with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, who arrived in Russia on an official visit. As a result of the high-level talks, a Statement on the Deep strategic partnership between the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Morocco was adopted. In addition, a package of documents on cooperation in the field of investment development, countering terrorism, protecting classified information, transport, ecology, tourism, and in the humanitarian sphere was signed.

On April 28, 2016, Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, took part in the opening ceremony of the Russian-African forum "Russia and Tanzania - towards each Other"as part of a working visit to Africa. Tanzania is now one of the top 20 fastest-growing economies in the world and has a high potential for developing industrial and energy projects. After the discovery of new gas fields, the state can reorient its economy to the energy sector. Today, Tanzania's gas reserves put it on the 2nd place in terms of its production, after Mozambique, among the countries of the East Coast of Africa.

Tanzania has always been famous for its achievements in the field of agriculture. In the context of illegal anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe and forced retaliatory measures - a food embargo-the Russian side is interested in the supply of organic fruits and vegetables from this country.

The Russian delegation at the forum "Russia and Tanzania-towards each other" included representatives of major Russian state and private companies in various sectors of the economy, including transport engineering and the aviation industry, energy engineering, the agro-industrial complex, as well as investment and development companies, the banking sector, interested in developing long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation with Tanzania.

The forum is expected to demonstrate Russia's investment and export potential, promote the expansion and diversification of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, and strengthen business contacts and ties that create a climate of trust and mutual understanding in relations between Russia and Tanzania4.

On May 26, 2016, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, hosted a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission chaired by Denis Manturov, Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Simbarashi Mumbengegwe, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Zimbabwe. The parties noted that the first participation of the Russian Federation in the International Industrial Exhibition ZITF2016 has already given a positive impetus to further partnership. Russia is ready to participate in tenders held in the country for the implementation of electric power projects. Power Machines, one of the world's largest manufacturers of power plant equipment, has expressed interest in supplying its products for a planned hydroelectric power station in the Batoka Gorge on the Zambezi River. The Zimbabwean side will provide comprehensive support to the promotion of Power Machines to the local market. Interest in developing a hydroelectric power plant

Rushydro's subsidiary, Institute Gidroproekt, is also showing interest in this country and will consider the issue of conducting surveys and designing HPP ⁵.

Additional impetus to the development of Russian-African relations was given by the visits of deputies of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to African countries, in particular, the visit of the head of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko in October 2015 to Kenya, and the visit of the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev in November 2015 to Angola. Contacts at the level of foreign Ministers of the Russian Federation and African states bring significant results. Meetings are held alternately in Moscow and in African countries. They serve as a good basis for constructive interaction both in a bilateral format and at the international level, including within the framework of the United Nations, and allow us to discuss topical issues of our time in detail.

We are developing ties with leading regional associations, including the African Union. Russian diplomats regularly participate in its summits. Following the meeting in Botswana, a memorandum of cooperation is being prepared between the Russian Federation and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Russia also cooperates with other integration associations in Africa, including by maintaining high-level contacts and concluding relevant agreements.

Relations with African countries and regional associations in the field of security and counter-terrorism are expanding. The security of Russian citizens and tourists during their stay in African countries depends on this. Cooperation with African partners is also determined by other factors, including the number and severity of conflicts on the African continent, the possibilities of joint counteraction to illegal arms and drug trafficking. On March 9, 2016, Viktor Ivanov, Chairman of the State Anti-Drug Committee and Director of the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia, visited South Africa. He took part in the international conference of the Russian-African anti-drug dialogue. The first meeting of this level was held in July ^2015.6

Building up mutually beneficial cooperation remains one of Russia's top priorities. A number of large-scale projects are being successfully implemented in Africa with the participation of Russian capital and the use of domestic scientific and technical capabilities: the Darwendale project for the integrated development of one of the world's largest platinum group metal deposits in Zimbabwe, the development of the world's largest bauxite deposit and its extraction in Guinea, the Akwa Ibom aluminum plant in Nigeria and the development of the Mkuzhu River uranium deposit in Tanzania.

In the future, domestic companies in a number of African countries may participate in nuclear energy projects. Major Russian operators of the oil and gas sector also remain interested in the African market. Improving the legal framework of our relations with African States remains an important area of work in this regard. Signing an agreement with African partners on trade and economic cooperation to avoid double taxation and protect intellectual property is on the agenda. All these issues are, of course, of great importance for our business representatives, because they create a reliable basis for long-term cooperation.

Nevertheless, we have to admit that our efforts to develop the African market do not correspond to either Russian export opportunities or the potential of such a huge continent as Africa. In 2015, sub-Saharan Africa's trade turnover with Russia was only $3.3 billion, compared to $ 340 billion with the European Union and more than $200 billion with China. For the Russian Federation, trade with Africa is only 1% of foreign trade operations.⁷

There is still no denying that Russian business structures often lack sufficient knowledge of the specifics of Africa, its needs and other parameters. On the other hand, Africans are poorly aware of the possibilities of Russian partnership.

In order to give a new impetus to Russian-African cooperation, the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, representatives of the African diplomatic corps, and SQUIRE Patton Boggs International law firm, announced on March 17, 2016 the creation of the African Business Initiative( ADI). The list of participants listed above includes Russian companies that are already represented on the African continent or are planning to start operating there in the near future.

The most important task of the new platform is to combine different resources: diplomatic (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), state (Ministry of Economic Development), legal (SQUIRE Patton Boggs international law company), business (Russian companies) and scientific represented by scientists and experts from the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences - the only research institution that has been established since 1959-since its launch. creation - deals with complex problems of development of the African continent.

Main objectives of the African Business Initiative:

- promotion and promotion

efficiency of cooperation between Russian companies and African countries both in the framework of purely bilateral and international relations;

- development of a strategy for interaction between Russian business and African countries, taking into account the specifics of national legislation, economic potential, socio-cultural values and traditions. The initiative plans to use legal, regulatory or policy standards and best practices of international projects.;

- collection and analysis of necessary information, research and business inquiries regarding potential projects and interests in cooperation with African states;

- promotion of professional relations between its participants;

- generating initiatives aimed at positioning and improving the image of African-Russian business relations;

- support for representatives of regional, as well as small and medium-sized businesses in organizing their activities on the African continent.

The African Business Initiative is a platform, tool, and organization created to address these challenges. It is a coordinating and unifying resource for Russian business and all organizations operating in African countries.

A great success of ADI's work was its participation in the organization of the round table "Russia-Africa: Expanding Borders" at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 16, 2016. This was the first round table on Russian-African relations in the 20 years of the Forum's existence. It was attended by President of the Republic of Guinea Alpha Conde, who noted that Africa and Russian-African relations have a huge potential for development.

During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, A. Conde said:: "I would very much like Guinea to become an entry point for Russia to this part of the African continent, so that other countries would follow Russia, who would see that it is possible and necessary to cooperate with us, and Russia would move from us to neighboring countries. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you, Mr. President,that we are ready to become an assault brigade through which you will gain access to the African continent. " ⁸

All participants of the round table stressed that it is time for Russia to consider Africa as a strategic partner. Much attention was also paid to the promotion of Russian regional companies, medium and small businesses in African countries. South Africa's Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Mzwandile Collen Masina, said in his speech: "Investment in Africa has so far come mainly from China and India, our BRICS partners. We believe that Russia has certain prospects in this regard. Investing in Africa doesn't involve risk - it involves giving up on it."⁹

It is hoped that the African Business Initiative will contribute to expanding the horizons of cooperation with African states, promoting Russian companies to African markets, and, based on a solid foundation of scientific knowledge, legal, diplomatic and state support, will help Russia return to Africa and avoid possible strategic and tactical mistakes in this direction.

^{Abramova I. O.} 1 The new role of Africa in the world economy of the XXI century, Moscow, 2013, pp. 58-59.

^{Abramova I. O.} 2 Global political and economic processes in Africa in the context of implementing the continent's development goals in the XXI century / / Scientific Notes of the Institute of Africa of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2015. N 1 (32). pp. 4-5.

³ http://infobrics.org/ru/blog/news/2015/07/08/3482/

⁴ http://minpromtorg.gov.ru/press-centre/news/#!12293

⁵ http://b2b-export.com/v-zimbabve-gotovy-realizovat-tselyj-ryad-eksportnyh-proektov/

⁶ http://www.fskn.gov.ru/gak.shtml

⁷ http://www.afrocom.ru/russia_outlook/trade

⁸ http://special.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/52167

⁹ http://www.forumspb.com/ru/2016/sections/62/materials/309/sessions/1502#keyfacts

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