Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that his country would aim to double trade with Africa over the next five years, at the opening of a summit aimed at reviving Moscow’s ties with the continent.
“We currently export to Africa $25 billion worth of food — which is more than we export in arms, at $15 billion.
In the next four to five years I think we should be able to double this trade, at least,” he told African leaders at the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
“In Africa, there are very many potential partners with good prospects.”
Putin said the current level of trade between Moscow and the continent was “not enough.”
“African countries are attracting ever more attention from Russian businesses,” the president added, highlighting a number of major Russian companies that were already working on the continent.
