"Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev started his visit to Africa on June 24. Medvedev will travel to Nigeria, Namibia and Angola. Moscow is ready to help the African countries in the development of their natural resources – oil, gas and uranium - despite the economic crisis.

"Russia does not conceal its strategic interests in Africa. The black continent can indeed become a new perspective and attractive market if armed conflicts reduce in number there.

"The market of developing countries is of great interest to Russian companies working in the energy industry, as well as in the railway, nuclear, defense and machine-building industries. Building new ties and retrieving old ones is extremely important for Russia for it goes about the nation’s entry to highly lucrative new markets."

"Russia will have to face serious competition in Africa. China has signed a number of deals in Africa during the recent years. Beijing has a very reasonable approach to its policies on the black continent. It first implements humanitarian projects, credit the economy and signs contracts afterwards."

Arf