Outstanding Theses Defense at RUDN Faculty of Economics: Graduates Develop Strategies for Expanding EAEU Exports to African Markets

Students’ achievements

Rather than limiting themselves to theoretical analysis, fourth-year students addressed present-day issues by:

• analysing the current condition and position of EAEU countries in global goods markets;
• assessing the business environment across African countries;
• identifying promising areas for export cooperation;
• developing market entry strategies to African economies in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to nuclear energy.

Employees and officials of the Industrial Policy Department of the EEC served as independent experts and reviewers on the State Examination Commission. Their extensive experience in supranational economic regulation enabled them to objectively evaluate the level of graduates’ qualification.

Particular attention to the papers was given by Vitaliy Vovk, Deputy Director of the EEC Industrial Policy Department, who reviewed theses devoted to international industrial cooperation and the export potential of EAEU manufacturing sectors in third-country markets.

“We evaluated these papers not only from an academic perspective but also in the context of the Eurasian Economic Union’s current agenda. It is important that graduates understand how their theoretical research can be applied within the Union’s common market, where goods, services, capital, and labour move freely,” said Vitaliy Vovk.

The commission and invited experts praised the depth of the research, the relevance of the data used, and the clarity of the students’ conclusions.

Why is it important?

The findings have strong practical value and can already contribute to expanding exports and strengthening international economic cooperation. In fact, the students outlined potential pathways for deeper collaboration between the EAEU and African countries, opening new opportunities for business, trade and diplomacy.

RUDN University also noted that involving EEC experts in the examination commission has become a valuable tradition, helping the university continuously adapt its educational programmes to the evolving needs of the labour market across EAEU member states.

In addition, the best theses, selected by EAEU experts, will be recommended for implementation within the relevant departments of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

How RUDN students identified new opportunities for the EAEU in Africa

Each team presented not simply a bachelor’s thesis, but a comprehensive study addressing a real request.

Maria Sokolova and Viktoria Ryzhkova team

“Our project required us to delve into equipment specifications and real supply chains. The process was fascinating: every new piece of information brought ideas for practical solutions, and what began as theoretical research ultimately became a practical roadmap for the EAEU,” said Maria Sokolova and Viktoria Ryzhkova.

Their research concluded that cooperation between the EAEU and the MENA region (the Middle East and North Africa) represents a complementary model, where the Union’s industrial capacity meets the growing demand for equipment in resource-based economies.

Tatyana Krauze and Ekaterina Uskova team

The students developed an export strategy for introducing three pharmaceutical products from EAEU companies to the South African and Algerian markets.

“Bringing a pharmaceutical product to a new market is a complex process. It requires consideration of epidemiological factors, geopolitical situation, logistics, and the readiness of both companies and local markets. While analysing market entry for ‘Papaverine’ and ‘Wild Yam’ products in Algeria, we found that Halal certification is essential, as 99% of the country’s population is Muslim. During the defense, we were asked whether companies would be willing to follow such a risky logistics route. Our answer was simple: every company participating in global supply chains must be prepared to take risks. Without risk, there is no business,” explained Tatyana Krauze and Ekaterina Uskova.

As the students noted, the commission panel smiled and awarded them 100 points.

Margaret Kaunda, Doris Nachilila Ngambi, Tracy Chanza and Dalitso Daka (Zambia) team

“Our thesis explored export opportunities for the EAEU metallurgical industry in African markets, using Zambia as a case study. We found that the rapid growth of Zambia’s mining sector and infrastructure development creates favourable conditions for increasing EAEU exports of steel products, pipes, ferroalloys and mining equipment. We also proposed practical measures to strengthen cooperation, including the establishment of joint ventures, participation in infrastructure projects and the development of engineering centres. One of the key messages of our presentation was that Zambia can become a strategic gateway for EAEU metallurgical exports to Southern and Eastern Africa,” emphasized the graduates.

Mohammed Subahi Saliz Abdallah (Sudan), Bui Mai Lien and Doan Nguyen Thu Thu (Vietnam) team

“The experience of France and Italy in Tunisia demonstrates that the most successful model is not exporting finished products but placing orders according to the toll manufacturing scheme. The EAEU could adopt a similar approach by supplying raw materials and technologies instead of competing directly with local manufacturers,” concluded the graduates.

Eduard Bakhshiyan, Ilya Glaz, Stanislav Kornievskiy, Evgeniy Solomakha and Kelmen Valter Fransishko (Angola) team

“Our project examined export opportunities for EAEU countries in Angola’s nuclear, solar, wind and hydropower sectors. Commissioned by the Eurasian Economic Commission, the project brought together five students of the Faculty of Economics, including a graduate from Angola, allowing us to analyse the market from both an external and internal perspectives. We studied twenty years of Angola’s imports of energy equipment and found that EAEU countries are virtually absent from the market, while China, South Korea and Portugal have established strong positions. Using an expanded SWOT-8 analysis, we proposed a trilateral cooperation model involving the EAEU, Angola and China. Under this approach, Chinese manufacturers would supply mass-produced components, while EAEU countries would contribute engineering integration, advanced technological solutions and after-sales services. The model builds on the historical example of the Capanda Hydroelectric Power Station, constructed by Soviet specialists in the 1980s, as well as Rosatom’s expanding ‘nuclear corridor’ in Africa established after signing the agreement with Ethiopia in September 2025. The core principle of our strategy is cooperation rather than competition. Instead of attempting to replace China in African markets, the EAEU should integrate into existing project chains with its own high-tech added value,” said the students.

RUDN University is proud of its graduates and their academic supervisors. The university wishes that their research projects will become the first step towards outstanding professional achievements and meaningful contributions to the global economy.