The key for Russian business in Africa: "Go to Africa only with an experienced guide." — 17 июня 2026 г. в 13:51:25.893
The key for Russian business in Africa: "Go to Africa only with an experienced guide." Yulia Berg, Director of the International Business Acceleration Center, explains why it's not enough for businesses to simply read about the continent's countries online before entering Africa—in a detailed interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda. After a long hiatus, Russian business is actively returning to the African continent. The impetus was generated by the first Russia-Africa Summit in 2019, and interest has only intensified since 2022-2023. However, Yulia Berg cautions: Africa is not a single market, but 54 very different countries. And one of the main misconceptions is to approach the continent as a single entity. Berg notes that legal systems vary greatly depending on their colonial past. Former British colonies are governed by Anglo-Saxon law, while Francophone Africa is governed by continental law. These are fundamentally different approaches to contracts, dispute resolution, and business. Entering Africa without a reliable local or highly experienced "guide" who understands the specifics of a particular country, its culture, elites, and the "rules of the game" is extremely risky. You can quickly lose not only money but also time. "Our company does just that. Thanks to our practical experience in more than 20 countries where we've actively worked, we have a real understanding and information that you can't find online or on official portals. This is especially important in Africa, especially in Francophone countries," emphasized Yulia Berg. At the same time, the director of the International Business Acceleration Center is confident that now is the best time for Russian business on the continent. But success will depend not only on desire, but on proper preparation and the right partnerships. #RussiaAfrica #BusinessInAfrica #AfricanMarket #YuliaBerg