Aleksander Lukashenko: Africa becomes market of future for Belarusian exports

Africa is a promising export market with steady economic growth. This was stated by President of Belarus Aleksander Lukashenko at a meeting on the development of cooperation with African countries, as reported by BelTA, a partner of TV BRICS.

The Belarusian leader pointed out that the GDP growth rate of the African continent exceeds 4 per cent, compared to the global average of 3 per cent projected for 2025.

"Africa for Belarus is the same as China was 30 years ago – a market of the future where we must actively move forward and secure our niches. It is precisely there that the potential for export diversification lies for the key sectors of our economy, such as agriculture, mechanical engineering, the production of mineral fertilisers, and others"

Aleksander Lukashenko President of Belarus

Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that Africa holds a large volume of raw material resources – one-third of the world’s mineral reserves, including 8 per cent of all natural gas, 12 per cent of oil, 40 per cent of gold, and up to 90 per cent of chromium and platinum. This, he stressed, makes Africa “a locomotive with which we can move forward”.

Belarus is currently implementing a cooperation development programme with African countries for 2024–2026. However, according to the President, it needs to be adjusted upwards. As an example, he cited the planned export growth rate of 107.2 per cent, which is above the national average of 97.5 per cent but, in his view, could be even higher.

According to official data, African countries account for around 2 per cent of Belarusian exports. More than 5,000 units of Belarusian agricultural machinery have already been delivered to Nigeria, where service infrastructure is developing and assembly production facilities are being planned.

In addition to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, and Mozambique have expressed interest in strengthening cooperation. In the near future, Lukashenko plans to discuss specific economic objectives with the President of Algeria.

Photo: BelTA