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Russia has reaffirmed Africa’s central role in Moscow’s foreign policy, stating that advancing ties with African countries remains an “unconditional priority” as Russia seeks to support the continent’s sovereignty and global influence in a multipolar world.
Speaking in a video address at the opening of the fourth “Russia–Africa: What’s Next?” Forum held at MGIMO University in Moscow from April 22 to 26, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that fostering relations between Russia and African countries is an absolute priority in Russian foreign policy.
“Russian-African friendship and partnership have a long history: in the past century, our country selflessly helped Africans in their courageous struggle for freedom and independence. Advancing relations with the African countries is among our unconditional priorities, and this approach is enshrined in the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation approved by President Vladimir Putin. We support the Africans’ push to be active players in international affairs. We will continue to help strengthen the continent’s position as an independent centre of power in the emerging multipolar world order.” Lavrov said.
He noted that Russian-African relations are on the rise, stating that: “Together with our African friends, we oppose modern practices of neo-colonialism. We believe it is important to combine our efforts in order to create mechanisms for economic ties and international trade services that are beyond Western control.”
The week long forum which was was organized by the Council of Young Diplomats of the Russian Foreign Ministry with support from the World Youth Festival Directorate, featured the inaugural Forum of Young Diplomats “Russia–Africa”, 50 young representatives from foreign ministries of over 20 countries.
The forum was a unique platform for establishing and strengthening the Russia-Africa dialogue, which facilitates experience exchange among leaders of the new generation on the primary aspects of Russian-African relations.
In the a video address Lavrov also noted that Russia and African countries successfully cooperate in trade and economy, implementing joint humanitarian projects. In addition, Russia assists African countries in ensuring their political and economic sovereignty, provides training for qualified African personnel at Russian universities, offering state-funded quotas.
Forum participants discussed a wide range of issues, including those related to cooperation in politics, economy, energy, trade, education, and culture. They attended the plenary session, roundtable, expert and panel discussions, brainstorm session, business game, and other events.
One of the key Russian-African cooperation tracks is youth policy. During the panel discussion “Aspects of Cultural and Humanitarian Cooperation. Russian Projects for African Youth”, Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate, spoke about the WYF Directorate’s flagship projects and initiatives.
“We are building solid cooperation with African countries in youth policy. 60% of Africa’s population is youth aged under 25. In this regard, African is one of the world’s ‘youngest’ continents. It was the WYF 2024, where we witnessed many informal, friendly contacts established between youth from Russia and Africa. The Festival brought together young leaders from 190 countries, including 1,000 people from 51 African countries. On the instruction of the Russian President, festival events will be held in our country annually What’s even more important is that today we are creating a comprehensive system of youth policy experience exchange and involving African youth in projects and opportunities available in Russia.” Dmitry Ivanov noted.
Adding that: “We continuously expand the engagement of African youth in forum events in our country, invite them to join the Year-Round Youth Educational Centers, and, of course, share experience and implement a series of joint projects and initiatives with our partners in African countries over 120 of them.”
Ivanov invited youth to join Year-Round Youth Educational Centers and the World Youth Festival Assembly, expected to take place in September in Nizhny Novgorod and bring together 1,000 Russian and 1,000 international participants. Visit the website to apply.
Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/russia-opens-applications-for-world-youth-festival-assembly-2025/
Speaking at the same forum, a Kenyan delegate Alex Loyola Nzugwa noted the significance of nurturing young diplomats, saying, “Forums such as this offer a platform to build a more culturally rooted and mutually beneficial diplomatic system.”
“Kenya and Russia have enjoyed decades of cordial diplomatic relations dating back to the 1960s. This is not limited to trade and investments cooperation, security cooperation, technological cooperation, exchange of high-level visits, and multilateral cooperation, amongst other areas. It is, therefore, important to foster Kenya-Russia cooperation to further enhance the cordial mutual relations and harness new areas for the benefit of our two countries. This could also ensure Kenya’s access to the larger Eurasian market in terms of trade and investments”, noted Nzugwa.
He shared that young diplomats are the future of diplomacy, and forums such as the Russia–Africa Forum of Young Diplomats offer a pathway to nurture this and see diplomacy through to the next generation.
According to Nzugwa, the forum gave a platform to learn from each other, developing us as young diplomats, creating a more cultural and mutually beneficial diplomatic system, and finally creating a better synergy between Africa and Russia.
The Forum also featured participant of the World Youth Festival 2024, which took place in Russia on March 1–7, 2024, bringing together 20,000 young people from 190 countries. The plenary session featured a speech by a foreign partner of the World Youth Festival Directorate, WYF-2024 participant, and CEO of StudEx Group, Tumelo Ramaphosa from South Africa.
“I first visited Russia during the World Youth Festival. I think it was a great opportunity for the youth of Russia and the whole world to make their voices heard. Many people learned more about Russia and how to partake in shaping a better world”, said Tumelo Ramaphosa.
The discussion “International Information Security: Prospects for Cooperation Between Russia and African Countries” featured Junior Isidro, producer, youth activist, and WYF-2024 participant from Guinea-Bissau.
“Russian and African youth share common values, and these must be preserved. Russia can both share much with Africa and also gain from it. The Festival showed the world that Russia is an open and friendly country. I am confident that young people from abroad can live in Russia, create, and develop their projects here. I would advise young people not to be afraid, to believe in themselves, to be independent, and to analyze information correctly. We, the youth, are the leaders of the future. I urge young people to grow together with Russia and not be afraid to express themselves”, shared Junior Isidro.
According to Isidro, events like the World Youth Festival unite young people from many countries, allowing them to make new connections and learn about other cultures.
“There have always been warm relations between Russia and Egypt, and Africa as a whole. Russia has always adhered to the principle of mutual benefit, aiding Africa, which is very important for the continent. Therefore, I would like to see cooperation between Russia and Africa develop further as it is beneficial for both sides. It is important for young people to learn more about each other. Initiatives like the Forum of Young Diplomats and events organized by the World Youth Festival Directorate strengthen relations and increase mutual understanding between our countries”, said Yossr Ghazy from Egypt, participant of the World Youth Festival.
The Forum of Young Diplomats is held as part of the fourth “Russia-Africa: What’s Next?” Forum. Since 2019, the forum has brought together over 1,500 representatives from various countries, including ministers, heads of African diplomatic missions, representatives from Russian ministries and agencies, business, media, and leading scholars in African studies.
World Youth Festival
The World Youth Festival took place on March 1–7, 2024 in Sirius, according to the Decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the development of international youth cooperation. The WYF-2024 brought together 20,000 young leaders from 190 countries.
On the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the WYF will be held in Russia on a regular basis – once in six years. Also, every six years 10,000 young people from all over the world will get together at the World Youth Festival Forum, and in between, international themed assemblies for 2,000 participants will be held under the auspices of the WYF. The first Assembly is scheduled to take place in September 2025 in Nizhny Novgorod. Festival events of various formats will be held in Russia annually.
According to the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the preservation and development of the Festival legacy, the World Youth Festival Directorate continues the work aimed at strengthening international youth cooperation.
