African Energy Chamber boss encourages businesses to target Russian partnerships
Nomazulu Moyo
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The executive chairperson of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, has urged the South African business community to take advantage of the upcoming Russian business conference to clinch deals.
Ayuk made the remarks on Thursday night during a discussion on the South African-Russian relations.
Russian business conference on June
The gathering, which took place on Wednesday, set the stage for the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2024, scheduled for 5 to 8 June in Russia.
The forum, a fixture since 1997, is recognised as one of the premier global platforms for business deals.
“The last SPIEF was welcoming and well organised. It’s about deals and possibilities. Africa is on the agenda of the business engagement. SPIEF is not a talk show but action, I saw Africans signing deals with Russians. SPIEF is not just a meeting ground; it’s where the future of business is shaped,” said Ayuk.
Russian conference an opportunity for interaction for global businesses
He said the SPIEF provided an opportunity to do business entities from Russia, India, China and the Middle East who will be at the event. Africans countries should therefore use the event to make deals to breach the skills gap in the continent and make business deals.
Ayuk also emphasised the importance of SPIEF, encouraging South African enterprises to seize the opportunity to forge substantial agreements.
“SPIEF is not just a meeting ground; it’s where the future of business is shaped,” he said.
Russian conference can be a game changer
Echoing Ayuk’s sentiments, Elias Monage, the president of the Black Business Council, highlighted the forum’s role as a catalyst for economic growth.
“Attending SPIEF can be a game-changer for businesses looking to expand their horizons. SPIEF provides an opportunity to do trade with Africa plus across the globe, gaining proper internationalisation,” Monage remarked.
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Slauzy Zodwa Mogami, the founder and CEO of Ladies Frontline SA, and George Sebulela, the president of the Africa United Business Confederation, also addressed the attendees, underscoring the forum’s significance in fostering international partnerships. Sebulela said he had clinched deals in the same event in the previous years.
Andrey Barannikov, CEO of SPN Communications and vice president of the Russian Public Relations Association, shared insights on the evolving business landscape.
“SPIEF provides a unique environment for innovation and collaboration,” Barannikov noted.
Oleg Savikov, Deputy Head of the Russian Trade Mission in SA, and Alexey Valkov, Deputy Director of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of SPIEF, both advocated for stronger business ties and highlighted the forum’s role in facilitating dialogue and transactions.
Monage said South Africa should use the event to address its electricity shortages. He said Russia is the biggest nuclear power provider in the world and South and other African countries should target that. Russia could assist with nuclear power and gas to many African countries which face electricity shortages, said Monage.
