MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. US entrepreneur Elon Musk should likely focus on Africa to promote the continent’s prosperity, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told TASS in an interview.

"Elon Musk? He should, of course, direct his attention [to Africa]. To contribute to a positive cause. Our Western partners have already turned their attention to Africa, but only from the perspective of extracting resources," the senior diplomat said following the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa forum.

"And keep in mind that after their oversight, these countries did not become wealthier, but rather the opposite," Bogdanov said. "But, of course, if we are talking about real assistance, all these resources and wealth have been used for the benefit of the owners, not the people," he added. This is what was discussed during the meeting at the Sirius federal territory, the deputy foreign minister pointed out.

The First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum took place on November 9-10 at the Sirius federal territory. The event was attended by about 1,500 delegates, including more than 40 ministers from the African continent.