Analyst Urges Africa to Prioritize Value Addition in Deepening Economic Ties with Russia

Nairobi — African nations must insist on deeper involvement in production, processing, and trade as they expand economic partnerships with Russia and other global powers, according to Kenyan public policy analyst Raphael Obonyo.

Obonyo contends that the continent needs to shift away from a trade model predicated on exporting raw materials only to import finished goods at a premium. He emphasizes that African countries are seeking partnerships that convert their natural resources into broad-based prosperity, rather than entrenching reliance on external markets for manufactured products.

Achieving this shift, he argues, demands heightened investment in local processing industries, technology transfer, and skills development to help African economies retain more value from their resources. Obonyo identifies agriculture, energy, transport, and infrastructure as pivotal sectors where Russia and other major economies could deepen investment and cooperation.

Consequently, discussions on Russia-Africa relations should center on practical opportunities that bolster local production and industrial development, Obonyo asserts. He adds that technology transfers and training programmes are essential to strengthening the continent’s productive capacity and enabling more meaningful participation in global value chains.

The analyst further advocates for diversified trade arrangements, payment systems, and logistical corridors linking African nations with Russia and the wider BRICS bloc. Such measures, he says, would expand economic opportunities while advancing Africa’s ambition to secure a more influential role in the global economy.

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