Speaker
Description
This project examines the influence of Russian energy initiatives in the Republic of Congo, providing a historical context of Russia-Africa relations and detailing the specific projects and companies involved. This discussion is particularly relevant as Russia seeks partnerships post-Russian-Ukraine war.
For our research, we predicted that Russia was exploiting the Republic of Congo's resources with minimal benefits for the host nation. To support this prediction, we focused on the question: “What are the economic and energy security impacts of Russian-backed energy projects in Africa?” This led us to develop our main talking points: the history of the Russia-Republic of Congo partnership, the companies involved (specifically Lukoil and Rosatom), specific energy projects like oil pipelines and hydropower plants, and the impacts of this relationship. We analyze key locations of current and planned energy projects, such as oil pipelines and hydropower constructions in the -Congo, Pointe Noire, Loutete, Brazzaville, and Ouesso- and assess their implications for the region's economy and energy security. The method used to showcase this research is Esri’s ArcGIS StoryMaps software. Additionally, we utilized HEAVY.AI and Maxar software to create visualizations and referenced multiple research outlets to back our findings.
Our research revealed potential advantages for the Republic of Congo, including GDP growth, enhanced energy self-sufficiency, and a stronger military presence. However, we also identified significant concerns such as environmental degradation, socio-economic displacement of local communities, and potential security concerns for the U.S. if Russia continues its partnerships with African countries.
| Is there a time of day you are unavailable to present? | Afternoon |
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