MOSCOW, October 28. /TASS/. Moscow is energetically aiding African nations to improve their financial health and ease the debt burden, President Vladimir Putin said at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.

"The successful operation of the African continental free trade zone contributes to the deepening of industrial cooperation and economic independence of the continent. Russia, as you know, is actively involved in efforts to improve the financial health of African countries and ease their debt burden," he said.

Putin noted that the effects of the colonial era are still being felt in Africa -- for instance, the continent’s infrastructure has historically been built to export raw materials to the metropolis. According to expert data, the share of added value in the continent’s manufacturing industry is less than 2%, while intra-continental trade accounts for only 15% of the total $1.5 trillion turnover. However, according to the president, the situation is gradually changing.

According to him, Russia is implementing joint programs with several African states involving debt to finance national economic growth projects.