Elena Panova: Environmental Technologies Must Become Part of Russia–Africa Partnership
The 3rd Russia–Africa Summit will take place in Moscow on October 28–29, 2026. Participants will focus on trade and economic ties, investment, digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence.
Environmental issues also offer opportunities for practical cooperation between Russia and African countries. Elena Panova, chair of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, spoke to the IT Russia media platform about joint projects involving environmental technologies and specialist training.
– Russia–Africa partnership should be built around projects that address countries’ specific needs and deliver measurable results. Environmental protection is an important part of this agenda. Industrial development, natural resource conservation and improvements in quality of life require modern technologies, qualified professionals and effective government regulation.
Our committee is working consistently to make environmental technologies more accessible to businesses. Environmental upgrades require not only clear government rules but also solutions that reduce environmental impacts without undermining production reliability. This approach is also valuable when sharing expertise with African countries, where environmental challenges are closely linked to industrial and infrastructure development.
Training specialists is equally important. Technology cooperation should therefore involve not only the transfer of equipment and technology but also knowledge sharing, training and the development of professional skills.
In this context, I would like to highlight the work of Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State University for Geological Prospecting (MGRI). The university is already carrying out specific projects with African partners. These include the Russia–Africa Summer University, where students from Cameroon, Mauritania and Morocco study mineral exploration, digital technologies in mining and the fundamentals of environmental safety; talks with universities in Morocco and Algeria; and cooperation with Zimbabwe, including the installation of EKOGEOSCAN environmental monitoring stations and training specialists for the mineral resources sector. This is an example of how workforce development and technology cooperation can come together in a single project.
The 2nd Global Digital Forum in Moscow underscores the importance of technology in international cooperation. Digital tools can help monitor environmental conditions, manage natural resources and assess the results of environmental protection measures. Their effective use requires qualified specialists and clear oversight mechanisms.
The upcoming Russia–Africa Summit provides an opportunity to discuss these areas as part of a broader technology partnership. The main priority is to move from agreements to joint projects that reflect each country’s circumstances and deliver tangible benefits to people.
