Russia’s Future Outlook With Africa Depends On Strategic Action Plan (2023-2026) – Interview |
The scramble for the multidimensional control of the African continent by global players is a geopolitical reality. In order to be part of this geopolitical arena, foreign players have been devising different mechanisms for revitalizing partnership and strengthening cooperation with Africa, says Dr. Babafemi A. Badejo, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Nigeria and former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia.
Many foreign players and investors are now looking forward to exploring several opportunities in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Badejo adds. With an array of economic activities undertaken currently in various sectors, building media network is one of the instruments for consolidating their influence, and broadly boost the understanding of their products’ image and business services among the large spectrum of the population.
During an interview conversation, Professor Babafemi A. Badejo says Russia has a comprehensive African agenda and a well-defined approach with its economic diplomacy, but at the same time it has to take hyperbolic steps in raising its economic influence in Africa.
Comparatively not much of Russia’s image is promoted by the media in Africa, he adds, and suggests that Russia could similarly use the media to do more advisory services for its companies, and secondly design public outreach diplomacy (people-at-large oriented activities) that could help change negative perceptions and common skepticism among the estimated population of 1.4 billion in Africa. Here are the interview excerpts:
How would you characterize the media landscape, what foreign players are consistently teaming up with African partners in the media sphere in the continent?
Babafemi A. Badejo: The........