DIVERSIFICATION OF RUSSIAN INVESTMENTS IN WEST AFRICA: OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS
Foreign investment plays an important role in the economic development of developing and even developed countries. They can be considered not only as an alternative to the impossibility or difficulties of remote exploitation of certain (natural) resources and the conquest of new markets, which are difficult to access only by export, but also to some economic sanctions. This article examines the economic advantages of the countries of the western African continent as an investment opportunity for Russian companies. The economical dynamics of the western African countries, the regional integration economic grouping created by the aforementioned countries and their trade and economic relations with the Russian Federation were analyzed. The needs of these countries for investment in various sectors of activity were identified in relation to their economic development and the return or profitability on foreign direct investment that they generate. The analysis showed the feasibility of increasing the sustainable development of the economy by expanding trade and economic ties, which can become an alternative to possible sanctions from the United States or European countries. The expediency of increasing and diversifying Russian investments in West African countries is revealed.