A Bridge for Technology Transfer and Business Development between Russia and Africa -By Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

Moscow State University of Technology, (“STANKIN”), plans to train young African engineers to support industrial sectors, manufacturing industries and agro-processing spheres. Following detailed discussions, an agreement was reached to implement also concrete internship projects for African students and young engineers at “STANKIN” and its leading industrial partners. This will allow young specialists not only to gain knowledge but also to familiarize themselves with equipment that could be supplied to their home countries in the future.

Within the framework of the international exhibition “Metalworking-2026” (Metalloobrabotka-2026)—Russia’s largest exhibition project in the field of machine tool building and metalworking, held with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation—Moscow State University of Technology (“STANKIN”) organized a series of key business events. One of the highlights was the panel discussion “STANKIN: Engineering Cadres for Partner Countries,” which featured Louis Gouend, an outstanding university alumnus and President of the African Business Club (ABC).

Gouend’s participation in the “Metalworking-2026” business program has, indeed, sent a clear signal to Russian industrialists that Africa is ready for industrialization and seeks Russian technological solutions.

The “Metalworking-2026” exhibition brought together over 1,200 companies from 11 Russian regions and foreign partner countries, including India, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Belarus, Turkey, and others. The Moscow State University of Technology (“STANKIN”) showcased the Head Competence Center of the Machine Tool Industry at its stand—a structure designed to centralize the industry’s scientific potential and cutting-edge developments.

Engineering Education as a Key to Africa’s Technological Sovereignty
In his powerful and enlightening speech, Louis Gouend strongly emphasized that his participation in an exhibition of this scale is not only a tribute to his ‘alma mater’ but also a strategic step towards bringing the industrial sectors of Russia and African countries closer together.

“I accepted the invitation from the Moscow State University of Technology (“STANKIN”) with a special feeling. It is gratifying to know that among the alumni of my university are such prominent statesmen as the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, and Deputy Prime Minister, Dmitry Chernyshenko. This sets a very high bar of responsibility,” noted Gouend.

The main thesis of his presentation was the critical need for Africa to transition from raw material exports to creating value-added chains through the deep processing of resources directly on the continent. According to the expert, participation in such exhibitions opens up new opportunities for the direct transfer of Russian technologies to the African market.

From Training Cadres to Business Expansion
Gouend focused on the fact that training African engineers at “STANKIN” is the first and most crucial stage in building long-term business ties. “Training engineers for Africa is the foundation for technology transfer. When an African specialist is trained on Russian equipment and masters Russian software, they become a gateway for Russian business. This opens doors for the export of machine tools, automated systems, and the establishment of joint ventures on the continent,” he emphasized.

Digital Revolution and International Cooperation
Earlier during the plenary session, the Rector of Moscow State University of Technology (MSTU “STANKIN”), Boris Padalkin, noted that the digital revolution demands entirely new competencies from designers and technologists. These very cadres will become the foundation for international technological exchange.

The university’s stand was also visited by a special guest—cosmonaut and Hero of the Russian Federation, Alexander Lazutkin, who highlighted the significance of engineering work for the highest achievements of science and space exploration. Today STANKIN trains specialists in machinery, robotics, electronics, automation and control systems, economics of enterprises, informatics and measurement systems. There are more than 600 professors and scientists working at university today. The Moscow State University of Technology, commonly known as STANKIN, is a state technical university in Moscow, Russia.