Russia is interested in opening representative offices of the country's banks in Africa, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum 2024.
"As for opening representative offices of Russian banks in African countries, we do not rule out such a cooperation option. It depends not only on Russia but also on the interests of African partners, as well as legal peculiarities, national regulatory framework," she said, adding, "This topic is interesting for us, and we will cooperate with those African countries that also have a mutual interest in this."
According to her, Russia also considers various options to simplify trade and financial transactions with African partners through central banks, working on options to increase settlements in national currencies.
In addition, the country is working on establishing direct interbank correspondent relations and building payment and settlement infrastructure resistant to external influence, she revealed.
On Wednesday, SPIEF 2024 kicked off in Russia under the theme Foundations of a Multipolar World: The Formation of New Areas of Growth. The event will last until Saturday.