The Russia-Africa summit, which took place in St. Petersburg in July 2023, was notable for the absence of two of Africa’s largest and most important economies: Ghana and Nigeria.
There are a number of reasons why these two countries were not invited to the summit.
Ghana’s Criticism of the Wagner Group
One reason is Ghana’s criticism of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military contractor that has been accused of human rights abuses in Africa. Ghana has been outspoken in its condemnation of the Wagner Group, and it is likely that Russia was reluctant to invite Ghana to the summit if it believed that Ghana would use the opportunity to raise concerns about the group.
Nigeria’s Relationship with the West
Another reason is Nigeria’s close ties to the West. Nigeria is a major recipient of Western aid, and it has a strong relationship with the United States and other Western countries. Russia is likely to have been reluctant to invite Nigeria to the summit if it believed that Nigeria would use the opportunity to promote Western interests.
Both Countries’ Commitment to Democracy
Finally, both Ghana and Nigeria are committed to democracy. Russia has been accused of supporting authoritarian regimes in Africa, and it is likely that Russia was reluctant to invite these two countries to the summit if it believed that they would use the opportunity to criticize Russia’s support for authoritarian regimes.
The Impact of the Summit on Ghana and Nigeria
The absence of Ghana and Nigeria from the Russia-Africa summit is likely to have a number of implications for these two countries.
For Ghana, the absence from the summit is a missed opportunity to strengthen relations with Russia. Ghana is a major importer of Russian wheat and fertilizer, and the summit could have provided an opportunity for Ghana to secure new trade deals with Russia.
For Nigeria, the absence from the summit is a setback in its efforts to diversify its economy. Nigeria is heavily dependent on oil exports, and the summit could have provided an opportunity for Nigeria to explore new economic opportunities with Russia.
The Future of Russia-Africa Relations
The absence of Ghana and Nigeria from the Russia-Africa summit is a sign that Russia’s relations with Africa are not as strong as they could be. If Russia wants to improve its relations with Africa, it will need to address the concerns of countries like Ghana and Nigeria.
Russia will also need to find ways to engage with Africa on issues that are important to African countries, such as democracy and human rights. If Russia is able to do this, it will be well-positioned to play a more significant role in Africa in the years to come.
Conclusion
The absence of Ghana and Nigeria from the Russia-Africa summit is a significant development. It is a sign that Russia’s relations with Africa are not as strong as they could be, and it will be important for Russia to address the concerns of these two countries if it wants to improve its relations with Africa.
