Economic, political interests luring key nations to Africa

WITH Moscow increasingly seen as a power broker from key parts of Asia to the Middle East, it was a different continent that President Vladimir Putin had his eyes set on late last week. He hosted from Wednesday to Friday the first-ever Russia-Africa summit seeking to restore his nation's influence in the region that faded after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

During the summit, billions of dollars in economic memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed in biotechnology, oil and gas, agricultural development and military cooperation. However, the most ambitious MOUs came in nuclear energy where Russia's state nuclear company, Rosatom, signed agreements to develop facilities with 18 countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Yet, Russia is far from alone in its growing interest in Africa, with several other key powers - especially China - focusing ever more intently on the continent. Beijing's top leadership - the president, premier and foreign minister - have reportedly made a staggering total of around 80 visits to over 40 different African countries over the past decade.