https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250424/russias-africa-policy-and-media-role-partnership-over-handouts-says-devca-chairman-1072263379.html
Russia’s Africa Policy and Media Role: Partnership Over Handouts, Says DevCA Chairman
Russia’s Africa Policy and Media Role: Partnership Over Handouts, Says DevCA Chairman
Sputnik Africa
Russia's engagement with Africa is built on mutual respect and co-investment rather than aid dependency, while its growing media presence offers a crucial... 24.04.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-04-24T15:13+0200
2025-04-24T15:13+0200
2025-04-24T15:13+0200
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Speaking to Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the IV Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?", Okpatuma emphasized Russia’s commitment to fostering a multipolar world where nations interact as equals.Russian Media’s Role in Balanced ReportingBeyond economic cooperation, Okpatuma highlighted the importance of Russia’s expanding media presence in Africa, which he said contributes to more objective reporting by providing alternative perspectives.However, he also warned of the risks of "information neo-colonialism"—the exploitation of less-informed populations through biased narratives. By combining equitable economic partnerships with a commitment to balanced media representation, Okpatuma suggested, Russia’s approach offers Africa a path toward genuine sovereignty and development.
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Russia’s Africa Policy and Media Role: Partnership Over Handouts, Says DevCA Chairman
Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Russia's engagement with Africa is built on mutual respect and co-investment rather than aid dependency, while its growing media presence offers a crucial counterbalance to existing narratives, according to David Okpatuma, Board Chairman of Nigeria’s Development and Corporation for Africa (DevCA) Initiative.
Speaking to Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the IV Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?", Okpatuma emphasized Russia’s commitment to fostering a multipolar world where nations interact as equals.
"Russia is not just giving handouts or freebies. They are calling for African countries to be co-partners in mutual development, to be co-investors in the future we are jointly trying to build," Okpatuma stated. He contrasted this approach with strategies that use foreign aid as a tool for influence, arguing that Russia’s model promotes more sustainable development.
Russian Media’s Role in Balanced Reporting
Beyond economic cooperation, Okpatuma highlighted the importance of Russia’s expanding media presence in Africa, which he said contributes to more objective reporting by providing alternative perspectives.
"Even if it's good information, one-sided information is still unbalanced," he said, noting that diverse sources encourage greater credibility as outlets know their reporting can be fact-checked against others.
However, he also warned of the risks of "information neo-colonialism"—the exploitation of less-informed populations through biased narratives.
"It's a clarion call for us as Africans to develop our own media reportage and reputation," he urged, stressing the need for African audiences to access credible information from multiple viewpoints.
By combining equitable economic partnerships with a commitment to balanced media representation, Okpatuma suggested, Russia’s approach offers Africa a path toward genuine sovereignty and development.
