Lukashenko: Political capital in Africa needs to be monetized into mutually beneficial projects

The Head of State noted that all African countries currently account for only 2% of Belarus's total export volume (for comparison, in the first 8 months of last year, this figure was 1.9%). This is despite the fact that the geography of Belarusian presence in the region has expanded. Until 2019, cooperation was mainly with North African countries: Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. Now, significant political capital has been built with Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, and Mozambique are showing interest in intensifying joint work.

"You know how to monetize political capital into mutually beneficial projects," stated Alexander Lukashenko, addressing the event participants. According to him, a corresponding algorithm has been developed through the agricultural mechanization program in Zimbabwe. Successful cooperation with Nigeria is now proceeding according to the same scheme. A total of over 5,000 units of Belarusian agricultural and special machinery have already been supplied there, personnel training is being conducted, and service center operations are being established. There are plans to create assembly plants. "We all understand how to do it, but we are doing it very slowly," the President pointed out.

"A question to those present: which country will be next and when will we start?" he continued.

The Head of State noted, in particular, Algeria's readiness to elevate relations to a qualitatively new level by supporting them with serious projects. "On the eve of the visit, we will see what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government will propose," said Alexander Lukashenko. "I expect to discuss substantive steps and specific economic tasks with President Tebboune in the very near future."

Incidentally, Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov visited this African country recently. "Are we late with our products to Algeria or not?" asked the Belarusian leader.

belta.by