Станислав Наумов считает тему развития национальных цифровых систем одной из приоритетных. Источник фото: сайт Госдумы РФ

The agenda will also cover the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the development of independent payment systems, food security, digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence.

Ahead of the summit, Stanislav Naumov, a former State Duma deputy and mentor at the Higher School of Economics (Moscow), spoke to the IT Russia media platform about technological sovereignty, the development of domestic digital solutions and prospects for cooperation between Russia and African countries.

– The 2nd Global Digital Forum, held in Moscow with African countries also represented, showed that digitalization is no longer a secondary issue. Technological leadership and sovereignty must be enduring priorities for every country. Digitalization now affects every sector, and it is crucial not to fall behind. Artificial intelligence and robotics are not just buzzwords; they are tools reshaping the economy, manufacturing and the labor market. AI should not be seen as a replacement for people. First and foremost, it offers a way to speed up routine tasks. Technologies must be adopted thoughtfully, with a clear understanding of the problems they are meant to solve and the skills people will need. That is why the development of the digital economy must go hand in hand with training professionals who can work with modern technology platforms.

National digital systems are equally important. If we want to strengthen technological sovereignty, we need to develop competitive solutions of our own. These must not only meet domestic needs but also compete in international markets. Competition among digital platforms should serve the interests of consumers and the national economy. Under sanctions, investment should be directed toward projects of this kind. This is a matter of economic security.

We can see how the financial system is evolving. The initiative to establish a second national payment system looks promising, because further development of the financial system and making it more convenient for the public directly help strengthen the national economy. But the future does not lie in developing our financial system in isolation. To settle payments with African partners, we need independent payment infrastructure rather than reliance on standards set by others.

The upcoming summit in Moscow offers an opportunity to move toward joint development and localized manufacturing. Our task is to build an equal partnership with Africa in which technology serves development rather than being used as a tool of pressure. Joint technology projects, skills sharing and the development of digital solutions can provide a foundation for expanding economic ties.