Moscow, 22 November 2021 (TDI): Africa Industrialization Day was on 20 November, as acknowledged by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry in its press release referred to the history of the day. They also mentioned some of its biggest projects on the continent.
UN INDUSTRIALIZATION DAY ESTABLISHMENT
According to the Ministry, the day aims to provide international support to African countries to boost their industrial development. The Ministry then mentioned that the UN General Assembly established the Industrialization Day in 1989.
The day views industrialization as a potential solution to root out poverty, and to improve the livelihood of the African continent. The Ministry also mentioned that Russia contributed to helping the continent unlock its industrial potential. Russia’s aid to Africa dates back from before the UN established the day.
Back to the Soviet Union, it had a relevant effect on the decolonization of the African continent. They also provided Africa with economic and technical aid to set up diversified national economies.
RUSSIAN PROJECTS
According to the Ministry, they also contributed to the establishment of 37 economies through several bilateral economic and technical cooperation agreements. The Ministry remarked that specialists aided to set up enterprises, and other facilities.
Among those projects, there is the Egyptian Aswan hydroelectric power plant or the bauxite extraction complex in Guinea. Other projects are the ore mining and processing plant in Congo, and finally the Capanda Dam hydroelectric power plant in Angola. They also trained local specialists to work in them, about 480,000 people underwent that training.
The Ministry also reaffirmed the commitment of Russia on the principle of equitable cooperation and the sovereignty of the continent; over their resources. Currently, Russia considers being crucial the economic and investment cooperation regarding its relations with the continent.
Russia is financing several projects in African countries, like the construction of the Egyptian nuclear power station. Other projects include the establishment of the Russian Industrial Zone and Russian businesses projects. Within the cultural and training aspects, thousands of Africans study at Russian colleges every year.
RUSSIAN PRESENCE IN THE CONTINENT
Alongside the African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke at a joint news conference, on 16 November. Lavrov stated the increasing activity of Russian businesses in the continent was more than welcomed.
He then added that Russia is convinced that the projects of the businesses will have extreme importance to implement the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
