Isabel dos Santos calls for more Russian investment in Africa

Isabel dos Santos has challenged Russia to invest more in Africa. The Angolan businesswoman stressed the numerous “investment opportunities in the private sector” in the African continent. Isabel dos Santos convened her message at the International Economic Forum in St Petersburg, an event that counted with the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jiping.

The businesswoman highlighted the “various investment opportunities in Africa”, particularly in the infrastructures sector, where most of the continent’s challenges remain. “Trade between African countries is still very complicated due to existing poor transportation routes”. This is the reason why “it is essential to build a new map of routes for internal trade to unleash Africa’s potential.”

In a press statement, commenting on her eagerness to see a larger Russian involvement in Africa, Isabel dos Santos alluded to the Capanda Dam, which, according to her, “stands, in Angola, as a great example of Russian investment, built during the war, which, up to this day, supplies energy to the capital (Luanda).” Referring to this particular construction, Dos Santos added that “this is the type of Russian investment that she would like to see more of.”

Russia’s investment in Africa amounts to nearly $17Bn, the Angolan Tycoon revealed. Nonetheless, such figure lags well behind Chinese ($120Bn) and Indian ($80Bn) investments in the continent.