Rinat Ayupov: Transport Corridors Will Open Up New Opportunities for Russia–Africa Cooperation

Ahead of the summit, Rinat Ayupov, a member of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the State Duma Committee on Transport and Transport Infrastructure Development, spoke to the IT Russia media platform about prospects for developing transport corridors, digitizing logistics and expanding cooperation with African countries.

– When we talk about cooperation with African countries today, it is important to understand that any partnership must be built around concrete projects that deliver measurable results. Having spent many years working in the transport industry, I know that sustainable economic ties cannot be established without modern infrastructure and technological solutions. The development of the North–South International Transport Corridor has already proved its value. It has become an alternative route for freight traffic and is having a positive impact on regional economies. But we need to go further by creating an integrated transport axis linking the Arctic, the Caspian Sea and our partners to the south, with direct access to Africa via Iran and the Middle East. This will require not only roads and ports but also digital solutions that make logistics more transparent and reliable.

The Global Digital Forum in Moscow showed that Russia and African countries share interests in artificial intelligence and digitalization. Our main task in the coming years is to build the infrastructure needed for transit and create the right conditions for projects to move forward. I am confident that the upcoming Russia–Africa Summit will provide a platform for pragmatic discussions and a shift toward practical solutions that take each country’s specific circumstances into account.