Putin pledges free grain and fertilizers to Africa

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to offer free grain and fertilizers to Africa so as to help in addressing food insecurity.

In a statement ahead of the Russia Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg on 27 and 28 July, Putin stressed the importance of uninterrupted food supplies for the socio-economic development of the African continent.

“I want to give assurances that our country is capable of replacing Ukrainian grain both on a commercial and free-of-charge basis, especially as we expect another record harvest this year.

We highly value and will further develop the full spectrum of economic ties with Africa, with individual States as well as regional integration associations and, naturally, with the African Union. We welcome this organization’s strategic course towards further economic integration and the formation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. We are ready to build pragmatic, mutually beneficial relations, including within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union. We are also willing to step up cooperation with other regional integration organizations on the continent,” said Putin.

In addition, Putin highlighted that Russia’s trade turnover with African countries increased in 2022 and reached almost US$18 billion.

“I would like to note with satisfaction that Russia’s trade turnover with African countries increased in 2022 and reached almost USD18 billion. However, we are all well aware that the potential of our trade and economic partnership is much higher,” said Putin.

Last week Monday, Russia withdrew from the United Nations brokered Black Sea Initiative, which would see Ukraine sending its grain through the Black Sea to other States especially African countries.

However, Russia reneged on this over one year deal insisting that sanctions on the country’s grain and fertilizer exports to global markets should be lifted and all obstacles to Russian financial institutions involved in the sector removed, including their reconnection to the SWIFT payment system.

Russia and Ukraine are currently embroiled in a over one year war over the Donbass region which has resulted in grain shortages due to the two countries’ pivotal role in ensuring food security.