Russia and 32 African countries will meet in Saint Petersburg to develop joint plans for mining and engineering cooperation. The initiative builds on Russia-Africa summits and focuses on training specialists and leveraging Africa’s rich mineral reserves for mutual economic sovereignty
Russia and African nations will hold the “Russian-African Raw Materials Dialogue” on October 30 at Saint Petersburg Mining University. The event, titled “Development Path – Raw Materials and Personnel as the Basis of Economic Sovereignty,” will bring together government officials, diplomats, and industrial leaders to discuss long-term cooperation in mining, resource development, and professional training. The forum aims to strengthen Russia’s strategic partnerships with African countries by fostering sustainable and mutually beneficial collaboration.
Representatives from 32 African Union member states are expected to attend, including eight ministers, 17 ambassadors and chargés d’affaires, and leaders from major educational and industrial institutions. Participants will explore joint approaches for efficient resource extraction, processing, and value chain creation, drawing on Russia’s technological and engineering expertise. The initiative also seeks to expand academic and technical training programs for African engineers and specialists in the extractive sector.
The dialogue is organized by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UNESCO-affiliated Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education. It continues the momentum of earlier Russia-Africa summits, which emphasized energy and mining as pillars of economic sovereignty. Africa holds about 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, 40% of its gold, and up to 90% of platinum resources – factors that make the continent a strategic partner in Russia’s raw materials policy.