By RFIPosted on 24-10-2019Modified on 24-10-2019 at 05:06

About 40 African leaders are in Sochi for the first Russia-Africa summit. Moscow wants to double, within five years, its trade with the continent. But what about the expectations of African actors?

With our special envoys in Sochi, Daniel Vallot and Florence Morice

► Bangui calls for more military aid

Among the bilateral meetings that took place on the first day of this summit: a tête-à-tête between Vladimir Putin and Faustin-Archange Touadéra. The head of state of the Central African Republic took the opportunity to ask Moscow to further strengthen its military aid in his country by delivering not only small arms, but now heavy weapons and continues to advocate for a total lifting of the embargo on the weapons to which it has been subjected since 2013.

Heavier weapons are needed to create effective forces in the Central African Republic. We believe that the Russian partners will deliver lethal means (...) allowing the rise of our defense and security forces.

Touadéra pleads for more powerful weapons and lifting the embargo

24-10-2019 - By Florence Morice

► Congo-B seeks to diversify its partnerships

President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville is among the heads of state who responded to the invitation of Vladimir Putin. Brazzaville and Moscow have recently strengthened their cooperation in the military and energy fields. Last May, the two countries signed an agreement for the construction of an oil pipeline. Another for an oil exploration project. For the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Congo-Brazzaville, it is above all for his country to diversify its economy and mitigate the great dependence of its economy especially vis-à-vis China.

For us it is the diversification made necessary partnerships; Africa is eager to develop, it seizes all the opportunities that are offered to it, including this one. Russia is a great nation.

Jean-Claude Gakosso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Congo-Brazzaville

24-10-2019 - By Florence Morice

► Côte d'Ivoire wants to develop its agri-food industry

Among the countries that have sent delegations to Sochi, some want to develop their trade relations with Moscow and attract Russian investment on their soil. This is the case of Côte d'Ivoire, which wants to develop its agri-food industry.

We are a big agricultural producer, but we are a very small industrial producer. So we show the Russians that there is a potential for investment in the field of processing.

Esmel Emmanuel Essis, Ivorian Minister in charge of the promotion of private investments

24-10-2019 - By Daniel Vallot

► African entrepreneurs looking for investment

How is the Russian ambition to develop exchanges with the continent perceived by the summit participants, among the African entrepreneurs and decision-makers who have also made the trip? In the alleys of the Sochi Summit, Russia's return to the African continent arouses interest and even hope.

We are a developing country and we need capital from everyone ...

Reportage to African entrepreneurs

24-10-2019 - By Daniel Vallot

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