MOSCOW, Russia: Ghanaian travel vlogger and digital content creator Wode Maya has called on African leaders to demand clearer economic benefits from partnerships with Russia, questioning whether the continent is receiving adequate returns from investments and infrastructure projects discussed at the third Russia Africa Summit in Moscow.
Speaking in an interview with Adekunle Owolabi, Editor of The African Daily, on the sidelines of the summit, Wode Maya said African countries should be equal participants in decisions affecting their future rather than being treated as beneficiaries of arrangements that may not deliver sufficient value to their economies.
The discussion covered Africa’s role in international partnerships, trade and investment opportunities between Ghana and Russia, diplomatic travel arrangements and the potential for collaboration in tourism and digital storytelling.
Wode Maya, who has built a substantial following through videos showcasing African destinations, businesses and communities, said African countries needed to be present whenever decisions concerning the continent were being made.
“Personally, I feel like Africa should always be at the table when it comes to conversation relating to Africa. If you call remember how Africa was divided not leaving a single African country was present. So, I believe that like I mean there’s going to be if there’s going to be any intra trade between the continent or even like from the continent and a country, they both have to be in one room.”
He questioned why discussions were being conducted under the broad framework of Africa and Russia instead of encouraging more direct partnerships between individual African countries and Moscow.
“My only problem is why Africa why Africa Russia not Africa not Russia Ghana or Russia Tanzania and that is the question that I wanted to ask but I never got opportunity to ask.”
The content creator argued that country specific engagement could help African governments identify practical opportunities and negotiate arrangements that respond to their respective economic priorities.
Africa must ask what it gets in return
Asked what African countries should bring to the negotiating table and how relations with Russia could improve, Wode Maya said the discussion should focus on the benefits both sides expect from their cooperation.
“If you ever ask me, I reverse the question. What I am trying to figure it out is that why Africa and what is Africa getting in return because even like if you listen to today’s panel, it’s always about what we’re doing in Africa but at the end of the day what’s the return on investment?”
He said conversations about development assistance, infrastructure and other investments should be accompanied by questions about the economic value African countries receive from such arrangements.
“I believe that this is the kind of conversations that we should be having in this particular room because it’s always feels like they’re doing Africa a favor or they’re giving Africa a free lunch and I personally don’t believe in any free lunch but with the whole conversation that is happening which is a good start but I feel like the right questions need to be asked in the right room and that is what I am picking out from this conversation.”
Wode Maya said African governments needed to examine the long term implications of infrastructure projects and other investments undertaken by foreign partners, including Russia.
“At the end of the day what does Africa benefit with the infrastructure that Russia is giving to Africa at the end of the day what are you getting in return and I don’t think it’s free if you ever ask me. Yeah.”
Ghana and Russia relations
The interview also examined the potential for stronger economic and diplomatic relations between Ghana and Russia, particularly following changes to visa arrangements for Ghanaian diplomatic and service passport holders.
Wode Maya said he believed relations were moving in the right direction, pointing to the reported introduction of visa free travel for eligible Ghanaian officials as a possible step towards closer cooperation.
“I think it’s moving in the right direction because there was nothing like visa free for diplomats coming to Russia.
“You used to apply for visa before you come in here but I believe that the foreign minister recently announced that now coming to Russia right now with a diplomatic passport or service passport it’s visa free for Ghanaian passport holders which I believe that that is the beginning and of any trade that you want to have with another country but when it comes to investment of what Russia is doing in Ghana at the particular moment I have no idea but I know that the conversations are going on.”
He said he did not have sufficient information about the current scale of Russian investment in Ghana but was aware that discussions were continuing.
Wode Maya also told Owolabi that he expected to have an opportunity to speak with Ghana’s president during the summit, suggesting that such an engagement could provide more insight into the direction of relations between Accra and Moscow.
“I’ll have the opportunity to speak to the president today so I believe that if you ask me this question maybe tomorrow I’ll find the best answer for you. Is that okay?”
Tourism offers room for cooperation
Beyond diplomacy and investment, the interview explored opportunities for collaboration in tourism, an area in which Wode Maya has established a strong profile through his online videos documenting destinations and experiences across Africa.
His work is associated with promoting African countries to international audiences and encouraging travel, investment and engagement with local communities.
Asked whether he would consider working with Russian partners to promote tourism and business opportunities between Russia and Africa, Wode Maya welcomed the possibility.
“That would be incredible. I mean it’s all start from exploring Russia just to see what Russia got and then figure it out and learn from them what can I take from here and take back to the continent and that is a way of us trading among ourselves and also letting them know that Africa is a beautiful place to visit.”
He said exploring Russia would allow him to learn about the country’s tourism offerings and identify ideas that could be adapted or shared with African audiences.
The approach, he explained, would also create an opportunity to promote Africa as a destination for Russian travellers, while encouraging greater exchanges between people and businesses in the two regions.
“So, if you’re choosing for if you’re choosing a a destination, it has to be Africa but when it comes to the business side in terms of how we can benefit as a brand, I’m talking as if like as a brand I believe that that’s a conversation that I’d love to have after today. Yeah.”
Wode Maya said he was open to discussing possible commercial collaborations after the summit, including initiatives that could benefit his brand while supporting wider tourism promotion.
The content creator has built his platform around challenging negative perceptions of Africa and showcasing its cultural, historical and economic diversity. Through his Africa To The World initiative, he promotes the continent as a place to visit, live and invest.
His wider work includes filming services, digital marketing and The Maya Experience, which seeks to connect audiences with African culture, history and economic activity.
According to his website, Wode Maya has more than 1.5 million subscribers, has produced approximately 1,400 videos, accumulated more than 232 million views and visited 30 countries.
His digital platform has featured African entrepreneurs, tourism developments, innovative businesses and community initiatives, including stories about sanitation solutions in Kenya, electric mobility in Africa and business ventures established by Africans at home and abroad.
He has also used his online presence to encourage Africans in the diaspora and international visitors to explore the continent beyond familiar tourist destinations.
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