Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank's Executive Board, emphasized the potential for cooperation between Russia and African countries in various sectors, including construction, IT solutions, digital mapping, medical services, education, and settlements in national currencies. Speaking at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, Vedyakhin highlighted the importance of using national currencies for settlements to strengthen business ties between Russia and Africa. He noted that conducting transactions in rubles is a key avenue for fostering cooperation.
Vedyakhin stressed that Sberbank is making significant efforts to organize payment cooperation between Russia and African countries. He mentioned that the bank has identified areas of mutually beneficial cooperation with African nations and is building financial relationships, primarily in national currencies and the ruble. Vedyakhin expressed confidence that further projects will grow, and business development is only possible through partnership between the financial sectors of countries.
Digital cartography was identified as a progressive area of cooperation between Russia and Africa. Vedyakhin explained that Sberbank and its partners are prepared to provide African countries with the necessary platform to develop their own mapping services. This can lead to greater convenience in daily life for residents, such as quickly locating organizations, planning routes, or choosing modes of transport. For government authorities, it offers an accurate picture of the urban environment.
The discussion at the forum featured various experts, including John Aggrey, CEO of the Ghana Russia Center for Commerce and Relations; Dmitry Dyrmovsky, CEO of STC Group; Leo Peter Magomba, director of ICT Infrastructure Unit of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology of the United Republic of Tanzania; Andrey Maslov, director of the Center for African Studies, National Research University Higher School of Economics; and Mohammed Umaru Bago, governor of Niger State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Vedyakhin emphasized that Russia possesses advanced technological solutions relevant to African nations, and Sberbank is ready to share its expertise to foster growth in skills and knowledge within African countries. This transfer of expertise is facilitated by inviting partners to Russia to see functioning technologies, followed by the development of a customized roadmap for each individual country.
The session was moderated by Yakov Sergienko, general director of Yakov & Partners. The discussion addressed the necessity of using national currencies for settlements to foster cooperation between Russia and Africa. Vedyakhin noted that African nations can leverage Russian technologies to drive development in various sectors.
The Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum provided a platform for experts to discuss cooperation between Russia and Africa. The forum highlighted the potential for partnerships in various sectors, including finance, technology, and infrastructure. Sberbank's efforts to organize payment cooperation between Russia and African countries are expected to strengthen business ties and foster economic growth.
Key points
- Sberbank is making great efforts to organize payment cooperation between Russia and African countries.
- Russia possesses advanced technological solutions relevant to African nations.
- Conducting transactions in rubles is a key avenue for strengthening business ties between Russia and Africa.
