Last night’s talk shows had their eyes on St. Petersburg where African leaders including President Abdel Fattah El Sisi arrived yesterday ahead of the Russia-Africa Summit, which kicks off today. Blackouts and digital banking also received some airtime.

THE RUSSIA-AFRICA SUMMIT-

What’s on the agenda for the Russia-Africa summit? Some of the topics that will be covered during the summit include trade, security, and tech cooperation, and the repercussions of Russia’s war in Ukraine on African countries — including the future of the Black Sea grain pact, which Russia recently pulled out of, Masa’a DMC’s Ramy Radwan said ( watch, runtime: 11:38).

Russia wants to expand its influence in Africa: “Russia is looking to play a more significant role in the African continent … Russia knows the significance of Africa,” Al Siyassa Al Dawliya editor-in-c hief Ahmed Qamha told Al Hayah Al Youm ( watch, runtime: 6:34). He added that the summit will also discuss climate issues and their impact on food security. Ala Maso’uleety ( watch, runtime: 12:41) also had the news.

Sisi-Putin talks: Shortly after arriving in Russia, El Sisi held talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin. We have the details in this morning’s diplomacy section, below.

ALSO GETTING ATTENTION-

Blackouts: The nationwide rolling blackouts continued to receive attention after news got out that the Electricity Ministry has increased supplies of natural gas and mazut to the nation’s power plants, partly by cutting back on supplies of gas used as feedstock in a number of industries. We have the details in the news well, above.

Banks need to go digital to stay on top, says banking expert: Traditional banks need to get on the digital banking train to be able to compete with non-bank lenders, former Blom Bank Egypt deputy managing director Tarek Metwally told Masa’a DMC ( watch, runtime: 14:43) . “If banks don’t make the switch to digital banking, they are doomed,” he said, adding that digital banks offer faster, easier, and cheaper banking services. “Most if not all Egyptian banks will apply for the digital banking license,” he projected.

Remember:The Central Bank of Egypt earlier this month issued updated digital banking licensing rules, under which digital banks looking to finance large companies will need at least EGP 4 bn in capital. Six banks have already applied to receive their digital banking license.

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