St. Petersburg, Russia, 14th October 2026 – Presidential Adviser Alhaji Timothy Musa Kabba has called for stronger partnerships between Africa and Russia based on trust, mutual respect and shared interests, arguing that the continent must seek reliable allies to unlock its vast resource potential and accelerate development.

Alhaji Kabba made the remarks during a panel discussion at the Second Russian African Raw Materials Dialogue held at Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, where he joined senior Russian and African officials, including Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department for Partnership with Africa at Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

The Sierra Leonean delegation also included Ambassador to Russia Mohamed Yongawo, Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, Eastern Technical University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Sao Babawo, Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone Dr. Solomon Augustine Tucker.

Drawing from his personal journey, Alhaji Kabba described himself as a living example of the opportunities that can emerge from Africa-Russia cooperation. He recounted how he was conscripted into a warring faction during Sierra Leone’s civil war at the age of 12 before later earning the opportunity to study in Russia.

He said his education at the university opened the door to a career with Russian energy giant Lukoil Overseas, where he spent more than eight years working as a petroleum engineer across Central Asia, the Middle East and West Africa.

Alhaji Kabba noted that his professional experience later led him into public service, including roles as Sierra Leone’s head of petroleum agency, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Speaking on Africa’s historical challenges, he argued that the continent has often borne the negative consequences of global technological and economic developments while reaping few of the benefits.

“As Africans, we must pursue partnerships that are reliable and anchored in trust, mutual respect and common interests,” he said.

He stressed that Africa’s vast natural wealth has not translated into prosperity for its people, describing it as a paradox that the resource-rich continent remains among the poorest in the world.

Alhaji Kabba said the current global order presents new opportunities for African nations to diversify their partnerships in an increasingly multipolar world, adding that Russia has emerged as a willing partner in that process.

Reflecting on historical relations between Africa and Russia, he argued that Russia did not play a role in the colonial partition of Africa and therefore enters contemporary engagement with the continent from a different historical position.

He maintained that cooperation between Africa and Russia should focus on education, technology transfer and investment, while urging African countries to create enabling environments free from corruption and excessive bureaucracy.

According to Alhaji Kabba, stronger institutional cooperation, coupled with skills development and technology sharing, would help ensure that Africa’s natural resources deliver greater benefits for its citizens.

For More Inquiries:
Festus J. Lahai
Information Attaché
Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Moscow, Russian Federation

Email:
[email protected]

Website: www.slembassyrussia.org