Africa hopes that Russia will help the continent in the areas of investment, trade, and knowledge exchange, Monique Nzanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, said during the first Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum on Sunday.
"We are looking forward to the Russian Federation to join us as we accelerate. We are calling for investments, we are calling for trade, we are calling for exchange of knowledge, research and technology," Nzanzabaganwa said.
Earlier, Burkinabe Foreign Minister Karamoko Traore told Sputnik Africa that by developing small modular reactors, Russia has made civilian nuclear technologies available for countries such as Burkina Faso. He added that his country sought to create energy infrastructure that would drive its industry. However, it is too early to talk about the participation of Russian companies in this project, the diplomat said.