Media Cooperation Between Russia and Africa: Stimulating Joint Projects

   On March 6, 2025, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation hosted a round table, "Information Bridge: Russia - Africa."

  The Expert Council organized the event on the Development and Support of Comprehensive Partnership with African Countries under the chairmanship of the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, A. Babakov, and the African-Russian Energy Association.

 The round table was attended by representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, leading Russian and African journalists and editors, well-known bloggers, representatives of Russian and African media companies, information security specialists, and representatives of analytical centers and research organizations.

 The event was moderated by Nikolay Novichkov, Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Deputy Chairman of the Expert Council.
Co-moderator: Julia Berg, Head of the Globus Expert Club and co-author of the Global Insights program on Pan-African television.

  The panelists developed specific proposals and recommendations for using the media and blogosphere to promote Russian-African projects and initiatives and to expand cooperation between Russia and African countries in the field of media communications.

   Alexander Babakov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Expert Council on the Development and Support of Comprehensive Partnership with African Countries, opened the event, stressing that problems in media communication between Russia and Africa cannot be solved without state participation. 

  "We will, at least within the State Duma, look for mechanisms that would prioritize state influence and the creation of conditions under which the information agenda of our state would be implemented. There are many institutions and funds for this. Today, they need to be treated very carefully and seriously, " said Babakov.

  The Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, voiced the existing problems in the media field between Russia and Africa:

"The correspondent network of Russian and African media retains the potential for development, but it is not enough. There are no accredited African media outlets in Russia. There is interaction with correspondents on the spot, but journalists from Africa visit Russia sporadically, mainly for major events. Against the background of the influence of French and English-language media and the lack of Russian content, the African audience gets a distorted view of Russia and bilateral cooperation."

   Zakharova also suggested ways to resolve problems in establishing media relations:

"It is important to maintain contact between Russian and African media and to strengthen cooperation through educational programs, press tours, and major media conferences. Africa's population is 1.5 billion, half of whom are under 20. This is the age when people are eager to learn, set goals, and make their mark on the world. Modern technologies create an information environment that should not be overlooked. We have made achievements, but there should be more."

  Moreover, Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute of Africa at the Russian Academy of Sciences, made several proposals for developing relations between Russia and Africa in the media sphere:

"It is important for journalists to understand Africa to avoid mistakes. We are ready to give lectures and collaborate to improve literacy in covering African topics. In large countries, the media should broadcast not only in the capitals but also in the provinces, addressing educational issues, as 50% of Africa's population is under 20 years of age. In addition, it is important to bring African bloggers to Russia, show them the reality of the country, and join forces to expand media coverage and understand mutual interests. Africa is young and open to new opportunities, and it should not be perceived solely as a poor and struggling continent," Abramova concluded.

  Clarissa Vaidorven, a Cameroonian journalist and member of the Globus Expert Club, highlighted the media's role in strengthening Russian- African ties, emphasizing that covering these relations on the global media landscape requires attention to both traditional and new media.

"Western media actively shape African narratives by bribing local bloggers. Russia should strategically use media platforms to promote its interests, fostering a positive image through media diplomacy. Language barriers, information blockades, and limited access to reliable sources make it difficult to provide objective coverage in Africa. The solution to this problem lies in creating joint educational programs, developing independent journalism, and establishing partnerships between Russian and African media. Launching a Russian TV network in Africa and promoting its agenda would help strengthen the media landscape and inform audiences about Russia's activities on the continent," Vaidorven concluded.

  Svyatoslav Shchegolev, Head of RT's African Content Production Service, emphasized the challenges of broadcasting the Russian perspective to African audiences:

"Today in Africa, new ways are being found to communicate information to viewers—sometimes in direct defiance of Western pressure. There is strong interest and a clear desire to cooperate directly with African media, including, in some cases, state-owned TV channels."

  Victoria Smorodina, Editor-in-Chief of International Reporters, shared her recommendations regarding France's media strategy in Africa:

"France needs to rethink its information strategy in Africa, recognizing the widening gap in its influence. Instead of resisting pan-African movements, it should support Africa's path to independence by investing in local media, culture, cinema, and theater."

  According to Smorodina, this approach would help counter the influence of Turkey, the United States, and other global powers.

"France's failure in the information sphere should serve as an incentive to develop a new doctrine that combines the defense of cognitive sovereignty with offensive tools. We need partnerships with private companies, a legal framework, and structures to regulate information operations," she said.

  Andrey Gromov, Executive Secretary of the Board of the African-Russian Energy Association (AREA), summarized the roundtable discussion by presenting key provisions of a resolution containing specific recommendations for promoting Russian-African cooperation in the media sphere. "We know of many business projects that failed simply because there wasn’t enough media coverage. The contribution of the Russian Federation was not recognized," he stressed.